The shape of Ashburton College of the future is still under wraps, but principal Ross Preece says the master plan for the school’s rebuild is 90 per cent complete.

A $60 million rebuild of the 50-plus-year-old campus was announced last year and since then the project has been through a number of reshapes and reforms as the school team’s wish list is checked off by the Ministry of Education, Preece said.

“There are still a few sticking points and while $60 million sounds like a lot, it’s replacing 70 per cent of the school and for us the number one priority is replacing our grotty classrooms.”

As planning has progressed there have been a number of concessions made by the school on its first choice plan, with a few buildings that were up for demolition now being retained.

These include retaining both gyms in the short term, extending the existing auditorium to seat about 400 students and retaining historic Menorlue on its current site, he said.

Menorlue will be put to a new use as the music department and will have money spent to make it a warm and hospitable place for students.

The technology workshop will also be retained as under current ministry rules, the area dedicated to these classrooms in a new build is only 105 square metres.

The existing technology rooms are 120 square metres and that has meant the school could establish full automotive workshops.

Staff have also decided the existing administration block should be retained because it was refurbished about 10 years ago, Preece said.

“We feel morally this should be the last one done because our priority is the kids and their learning.”

In the new school year the master plan would be finalised and would then be peer reviewed by the ministry and price checked by quantity surveyors, he said.

“We are very much looking forward to sharing this with the community, but there’s no point until it’s all ticked off because things could still change. Planning is a slow process, but it’s a worthwhile process. Planning is key.”

Throughout the process staff felt like they have been included, listened to and supported, Preece said.

The first stage of the rebuild is likely to begin in the middle of 2021 when Phoenix Preschool is relocated to a new site on the college campus.

And when work on the rebuild itself begins, it will be with a classroom block in the area of the old community pool and the Phoenix site.

“We’ve got some clear hurdles to overcome before then, but we’re still on track to have the project finished by December 2024,” Preece said.

By Sue Newman © The Ashburton Guardian - 22 December 2020