Campus update

Steady progress is being made at the new Ben Gough Family Theatre site.

Early works on the Ben Gough Family Theatre have progressed well since 15 December 2021, when the construction stage of the project got underway, says Project Director, David Evans. “The construction site has been established, and some exciting images of the new Theatre have been added to the hoardings surrounding the site, which has got everyone enthused about the project.”

Underground services and other project enabling works were completed in March. A temporary wall was built in the back of Gym 1 in preparation for the demolition of the gym foyer. An interim cafeteria facility was set up in the Senior College cafeteria space and is working well, says David. Demolition works were also completed by the end of March and have caused only minimal disruption to the campus. “It hasn’t been too noisy at all, due to the large degree of deconstruction involved in the project, and the fact that parts of the existing buildings will remain. This project doesn’t have the wholesale heavy demolition of some of the other projects we have started from scratch.”

The trusted team of Wilkie and Bruce Architects and Armitage Williams Construction have worked on many other projects at St Andrew’s, which is a positive for the delivery of the Theatre, says David. “Armitage Williams are responsible, careful, and well versed with logistics, and maintaining the health and safety of an operating school in the midst of construction.”

A Public Use Certification has been issued by Christchurch City Council for the Theatre site, who is happy with all aspects of construction and the integration of the project within the College operation.

The expected completion date of the Ben Gough Family Theatre is June 2023.

When it comes to other projects, People and Business Manager, Justine Scott, says remediation work is underway on the Castle Hill bridge and Thomas Stream, following a severe flood at Castle Hill last year. Some alterations and improvements are also ongoing at the College’s property at Porter Place in Castle Hill.

On the College campus, a door and wall have been added to the Health Centre to create a COVID-19 isolation room for day pupils. Various other small works were completed on the campus over the summer break.