HELEN GEARY: LOCALS THWART LEYS INSTITUTE VANDALISM

Last month, sharp-eyed locals Bob Tait and Spencer Nicholls, who keep a watchful eye on the mothballed Leys Institute buildings, along with Sean Molloy from St Marys Bay Association, observed that copper from spouting and entrance roofs was missing.

They were also aware of water leaking in through an open window and that the fire escape at the back of the building was easily accessible.

It’s now three and half years since the Leys Library and Gymnasium were abruptly closed. In this time, the community has watched the buildings slowly deteriorate – they now look very neglected and in this poor condition have become a magnet for vandalism.

Sean Molloy, of the St Marys Bay Association and a local resident for 40 years, said that, “the council is not honouring its obligation to the Leys family and the local community. I’m in contact with the Leys family who are very upset at the obvious deterioration."

Waitematā Local Board member Allan Matson, who oversees the heritage portfolio, visited the site with Sean and raised the issue in a Local Board workshop. Concerns were passed on to the Parks and Community Facilities maintenance staff who are responsible for keeping the buildings secure and maintained.

This month, according to Richard Bland, Senior Heritage Assets Advisor in the council Plans and Places department, a barrier guard with a locked doorway has been fitted to the rear fire escape. Mouldy carpet has been removed from the interior and the water ingress fixed. Quotes for replacing the missing copper are being obtained.

Richard advised that Parks and Facilities has been “instructed that we need to keep this building watertight while the project takes place."

He thanked locals for their vigilance, “I am grateful to those living nearby for the concern expressed and being an important ‘eyes and ears’ on any antisocial activity affecting the Leys Institute site.”

Genevieve Sage, Local Board chairperson, has advised the St Marys Bay Association and Friends of Leys Institute that the business case for the Leys restoration will be before the Local Board by the end of June. Detailed design work will then proceed. She also confirmed that the funds from the recent sale of the Plunket Rooms on the corner of Dedwood Terrace and Jervois Road will be reinvested in the Leys project.

We all hope that the Leys Institute Library and Gymnasium will be allocated funds for their restoration soon. Meanwhile, it is essential that council Parks and Facilities' staff keep up security and basic maintenance of our treasured heritage listed buildings.

(HELEN GEARY) Friends of Leys Institute Co-ordinator helen@geary.nz T: 021 208 7490