The path to Waitati Primary School will not remain long, windy and boggy after a generous benefactor donated $1000 towards building the school a new footpath.
The school became wedged between the Ministry of Education and the Dunedin City Council about who was responsible for funding a new footpath to give Waitati Primary School pupils safe access to their front gate.
The school's board of trustees raised concerns about the safety of children walking and cycling to and from school because there was no footpath along Mt Cargill Rd to the school's entrance.
The only pedestrian access or cycle access to the school was via a rugged track down to the school's sports field, which becomes wet and impassable during winter.
Rather than build a footpath along the side of the narrow road, the board decided it might be easier to form a gravel path around the side of the school's field, and applied for small grants from the Ministry of Education and the Dunedin City Council.
Both were turned down.
However, Dunedin businessman Doug Pryor came to the rescue yesterday.
He gave $1000 to the school to help build a new path.
''It appears they've tried a couple of sources for a small grant, so I decided to help them on their way.
''I own a property in Waitati and I thought it was a good thing to do for the community.
''I got a big round of applause from the school, which made my day.''
Principal Heidi Hayward was delighted with the donation.
''He just walked into school and gave me a cheque for $1000.
''We're absolutely ecstatic, but a little bit sad that the general public has had to jump up and save the day.''
Miss Hayward said the money put the school well within reach of the $1400 worth of materials needed to complete the footpath.
