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After 30 years of congestion, bottle-necking and rainy mornings, Maungatapu Kindergarten has undergone a major redevelopment project and is celebrating its official opening.
This afternoon marks the official opening of the new $140,000 entranceway that has changed the flow and function of the kindergarten. Unchanged since 1974, the previous entranceway was described as ‘cluttered, prone to flooding and unwelcoming to visitors and families’.
Head teacher Anna Beale and Bay Trust chairperson Mary Dillon with a plaque thanking sponsors of their redevelopment project.
Grants officer Fiona Robinson says the planning began six years ago when she identified the existing entranceway as inadequate – from her own experience when dropping off her son.
“It has been a long process and plans changed about three times, but it wasn’t until last year we started getting serious when we had the architects design the new plans and we started applying for grants.”
With the assistance from community organisations Pub Charity Inc., First Sovereign Trust, BayTrust and TECT, the grants provided half the funds to help the development get underway.
Fiona says the kindergarten spent the majority of the six years fundraising, keeping the money in a fund that they tried not to dip into for other minor renovations.
“It was amazing, I didn’t think it would ever get done, but when the grants came in it became a reality.
“The new entrance is excellent, with a bigger space for the teachers to be in and a new kitchen so the children can bake.
“The entrance is now entirely covered so families and the kids don’t get wet when they hang their bags up and the new gate provides extra safety.”
The ribbon cutting to celebrate the new entrance to the kindergarten – which provides services for at least 70 children – is being cut by Bay Trust chairwoman Mary Dillon.
The new entranceway features a mosaic by the teachers and the children are currently developing a commemorative mosaic plaque to thank the grant organisations.
Maungatapu Kindergarten children perform.
Posted on 02-10-2011 13:45 | By POCO O POCO
Other than we can see that Ms Dillon who lives at Maungatapu is involved this blog gives us no idea what has gone on or what work has been done to remedy something . 150k seems like a lot of money if it is just an entryway.