Agreement Gives Community Groups Interim Access to Old High School Site

Sports clubs and community groups will be able to continue using some facilities at the old Wakatipu High School on Gorge Road thanks to an agreement between Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) and the Ministry of Education (MoE).

The school is moving to a new location in Frankton from the beginning of next term which had created uncertainty for community groups pending MoE’s decision about the future of the existing site.

Under the interim agreement QLDC will be responsible for booking and operating the existing small gym, main gym, and two adjoining classrooms for a minimum period of six months from the start of February 2018.

Queenstown Gymnastics President, Mark Kunath said it meant a lot for the club to have clarity on a training venue for the first half of the year while a more permanent solution could be found.

“We are very happy to hear that QLDC and the Ministry have agreed for the Council to take on the old high school gym block for the foreseeable future. It feels like Christmas has come early for the club and we’re very grateful for all the work put in by everyone involved in reaching this arrangement,” said Mr Kunath.

“If we hadn’t found a new home by the start of term one we would have had to stop classes and go into recess.”

Queenstown Lakes District Mayor, Jim Boult said the agreement made perfect sense.

“There’s no reason why groups shouldn’t make use of a perfectly good space while long-term decisions are being made. The seamless transition from one school to the next means the facilities in question require little maintenance and we’re happy to support the local community by providing a service based on the existing expertise of our Sport and Recreation team,” said Mayor Boult.

Queenstown Gymnastics has been looking for a permanent home for more than three years. Once the new Wakatipu High School campus opens it is hoped that some facilities would be made available to community groups after hours.

QLDC is also assisting the small number of users of Wakatipu High School’s decommissioned pool at the old site to swim at Alpine Aqualand, Frankton.

Clubs and groups wishing to use facilities at the old high school during the day and evening from 1 February can book space at a nominal rate by contacting the QLDC Sport & Recreation venues team based at Queenstown Events Centre on (03) 450 9110.

ENDS

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