Wanaka’s new $12million aquatic centre in the Three Parks development is expected to open in March next year. There has been no decision about the future of the current pool, but it is likely to be decommissioned.
In a submission to the Queenstown Lakes District Council’s proposed annual plan, the school has asked to be recognised as an interested party in the land once the fate of the pool is decided.
While a master plan was being developed between the school and the Ministry of Education, there were concerns the current school site was not large enough to cater for the projected 1600 pupils by 2024 while retaining sufficient green space for outdoor activities, the submission said.
During the proposed annual plan hearing in Wanaka yesterday, head students Cameron Russell and Mackenzie Ayers, student board of trustees representative Patrick Gainsford and year 7 pupil Scarlett Edwards presented the school’s submission. Cameron told the councillors there were about 90 pupils in his year when he started at the college six years ago.
This year there were about 130 in his year. By being able to purchase the land, the school could continue to grow while at the same time retaining its close-knit community, he said. One idea proposed for the land was the building of an arts centre, which would be used by both the school and the wider community.
Mayor Jim Boult said the council was already working with the Board of Trustees on the matter but the council could not make any promises.
"What I can say is we are favourable to the idea and it’s great to see young people such as yourselves coming along and getting involved in this process."
Last weekend Minister of Education Nikki Kaye announced the college would receive about $3million to build six new classrooms to help with the increasing number of pupils.
