Queenstown accountant Peter Wilson bid $810,000 for the new four-bedroom home on Saturday, allowing Shotover Primary to net $275,000 for a new playground.
The fundraiser was a joint initiative by realtor Hoamz, home-builder GJ Gardner, supplier PlaceMakers, the subdivision’s developers and other companies and individuals.
Shotover Primary principal Ben Witheford said credit for the project’s success had to go to local companies that provided substantial discounts, and in some cases, donated their services and materials.
Coupled with a Central Lakes Trust grant and parents’ fundraising, the $400,000 target to build the playground had been exceeded, and surplus funds would go into other projects, Mr Witheford said.
"This was meant to be a four- to five-year project. In two years we’ve got the money we need."
Mr Wilson, whose son Calder goes to the school, is chairman of its board of trustees.
"We’ve been looking at renting out our [Lake Hayes Estate] house and been looking around."
He was delighted with his new home.
"It’s better than what I ever thought it would be — they’ve done a really good job."
- Philip Chandler
