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

Daniel Pearce. Photo Credit Bob Englebrecht A consistent two days of golf ensured Ashburton’s Daniel Pearce a top 10 finish in Arrowtown at the weekend.

The Mid Canterbury pro finished in a share of eighth spot at the annual Hills Invitational 36-hole Pro-Am, following a combined haul of -2 142.

His tally was nine strokes off Dongwoo Kang, who won the two day event with a superb -11 following rounds of 65 and 68.

Pearce was five shots off the pace following Saturday’s first round before dropping one place on the leaderboard on Sunday after shooting 72.

His weekend got off to a sterling start with an eagle on the par 5 hole one, a feat he replicated on the 574m ninth.

However a triple bogey on the par 4 11th would prove to be decisive for Pearce in the final wash-up.

His -2 result was shared on the leaderboard with fellow pros Josh Geary and Jordan Loof.

By Adam Burns © The Ashburton Guardian - 21 December 2020

It was a close run thing for Holly-Jayne Feutz (above) and Team Yonex in their club tie with Team Babolat on Saturday. Photo Adam BurnsTeam Babolat can put their feet up over the Christmas break, having sewn up top spot in interclub tennis.

It was the barest of margins however, as the group claimed a one-match win over Yonex during the final club meet of the year on Saturday.

The side holds a five-point lead atop the open grade standings after claiming the vital two points in addition.

It was essentially a 2-1 win in the doubles which decided the outcome, before the two teams took three games apiece in the singles.

Ollie Bubb and Lee Gilbert were outgunned 6-3 6-3 by Neil McCann and Aidan Watt as Yonex drew first blood.

Brendon Adam and Phil Crozier prevailed in straight sets over Josh Jones and Holly-Jayne Feutz and Angela Ciora and Josh Leslie defeated Peter Conlan and Drew Gilbert to give Babolat the advantage.

In the singles, McCann, Watt and Conlan registered wins for Yonex, but it would not be enough as Babolat claimed three singles victories themselves following success on court for Adam, Crozier and Leslie.

The interclub frontrunners claimed a total of seven points, with Yonex claiming four for their four wins on court.

Team Wilson hit back from the disappointment of the previous week to sweep Team Head 6-0.

After suffering a walloping on court seven days prior, it was a faultless collective showing by Wilson, with Pete Leonard, Gareth Evans, Josh Gilbert and Ashton Cromie pulling off straight sets’ wins in the singles.

The result – and an eight competition point haul – were sealed with Leonard and Evans and Gilbert and Cromie winning their respective doubles encounters.

Interclub tennis is scheduled to return February 13.

By Adam Burns © The Ashburton Guardian - 21 December 2020