Old school impulse buy
Successful bidder says charm was the answer
A BATESFORD buyer has snapped up the old school site at Lethbridge on a whim, with no plans in place for what he wants to do with it.
Buyer Kevin McGuire said the charm of the building was too much to resist when he came to the auction of 2846 Midland Highway.
“It’s a beautiful old building isn’t it, I’m going to sit down and think about it for a week or two. I’ll think of something,” Mr McGuire said.
Mr McGuire’s impulse purchase set him back $440,000, fending off five other keen bidders, one of whom was a former student.
The bluestone building has not housed a school for about 10 years and was being offered for sale by the State Government.
“People keep asking if I went to school here,” Mr McGuire laughed.
Stockdale & Leggo, Bannockburn agent Julie Kaye said the amount of inquiry on the building, which is about 150 years old, was huge and came from locals and alumni, and former teachers.
“The local interest for the property was amazing,” she said.
“All the people that came through it that had been to the school and their families — generations that had been through the school in some families.
“The vendors were pretty realistic about the reserve and it sold well and truly above that.”
The property measures 1.2ha. The school opened in 1874 and originally was serviced by other demountables. The remaining bluestone building has an attached staffroom, reception, office and facilities.
The school moved to its new site in Stephenson St in November 2010 and the old school closed.
Ms Kaye said the bell from the original school is still in use at the new school.
“It’s something different, we’ve never auctioned a school or anything like that before,” she said.