Centre’s final fundraising push Safety upgrade with two kea crossings on the way
A new $2.5 million sports and community centre at Roncalli College is nearing completion with just the $132,000 job of laying down an artificial surface to go.
The Timaru secondary school is in the midst of its final fundraising push, asking for $500 donations towards a square of turf and selling $20 tickets to its Magic Carpet Fundraiser on Friday evening.
The centre, a joint venture between the college and the Holy Family Parish, will serve both the college and Sacred Heart Basilica as well as the wider community. It will feature covered basketball, netball, and hockey courts, changing rooms, a kitchen, multiple meeting rooms, and a function room big enough to seat 100 people.
‘‘The community will be able to access it. That is what’s really satisfying,’’ Roncalli College business manager Catherine Kelly said.
Kelly hoped to raise about $60,000 through the fundraiser evening – which would include light refreshments and live entertainment from students.
Those who purchased a square of turf – which could be bought by individuals, businesses, or groups – would have their names added to a permanent plaque at the centre, she said.
Roncalli College principal Chris Comeau said they hoped to start using the centre by term two in late April, but the official opening would coincide with the completion of the basilica’s $3.9 million earthquake-strengthening upgrade.
Netball South Canterbury and the college’s ‘‘contributing schools’’, St Joseph’s Timaru and Sacred Heart Primary, had already expressed interest in using the centre, Comeau said.
The school had long outgrown its gymnasium, he said.
Plans for the centre were drawn up in late 2017 and construction began about a year ago.
The fundraiser evening starts at 6pm. Tickets and squares of turf can be purchased from the main office, or on the night.
Two pedestrian crossings outside Waimataitai School will be transformed into kea crossings for safety reasons.
A kea crossing operates only with a school patrol and is signalled through two fluorescent warning signs 65 metres before the crossing.
When a patrol member swings their round lollipop signs out onto the road, traffic must stop. They are considered safer than irregularly used pedestrian crossings in which drivers get blase, according to the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA).
Waimataitai School principal Jane Culhane said advice received from a road safety expert suggested kea crossings were a safer option.
The kea crossing, which relied on drivers to be proactive and stop when someone was ready to cross the road, was awaiting signs before replacing Trafalgar and White streets’ pedestrian crossings.
‘‘This means when the street is not being patrolled, then pedestrians must give way to vehicles. This has been proven to be safer and less confusing.’’
She has also asked for the Selwyn St crossing near Trafalgar St to be removed. ‘‘The actual crossing lines will be removed completely, due to its dangerous location and risk. We encourage all members of our community to use the lights only.’’
South Canterbury Road Safety co-ordinator Daniel Naude said kea crossings were much safer than zebra crossings. He said New Zealand-wide from 2010 to 2019, there were 1113 crashes caused by drivers failing to stop at pedestrian crossings compared to just two at kea crossings.
NZTA senior traffic and safety engineer David Scarlet said pedestrian or zebra crossings may not be as safe as people thought.
‘‘They [pedestrian crossings] can give pedestrians the idea that they can step out and be safe on them – without checking first ... Drivers may not be anticipating anyone using the crossing at that point.’’