Schools eye space in commercial buildings
The commercial building sector is being seen as one solution to overcrowding in schools.
Leasing space in commercial buildings could ease classroom pressure caused by a rising population and urbanisation, according to Bayleys’ national commercial director, John Church.
‘‘Schools across New Zealand face similar pressures, and in a country where land in inner-cities is in high demand, expanding schools is easier said than done.’’
Driving the demand was a surge in apartment living.
‘‘To meet this demand for desk space, there is no doubt that existing educational facilities will be aggressively developed and expanded vertically for quite some years to come.’’
Last year, the Ministry of Education received 26 applications for new schools, well in excess of the funding available, which Church said made the option of leasing commercial space a viable one.
Ministry infrastructure service group head Jerome Sheppard said that for new schools, it made more sense for the ministry to own the property because schools needed purpose-built facilities and sufficient land for playing fields.
‘‘However, we do lease commercial property for a range of reasons throughout the country - usually where education or services cannot be provided from existing or standard school sites. These include health schools, special school transition units and Resource Teacher: Learning and Behaviour (RTLB) services.’’
However, even if schools were to look seriously at commercial buildings, Church warned they would face fierce competition, particularly from builders of apartments and hotels.