NEW DEVELOPMENTS AT MERRIFIELD CAMPUS
BUILDING has begun on the next phase of growth for East London’s leading independent school, Merrifield Preparatory School and College.
Earthworks have started on a multimillion-rand first phase which will result in an astro turf, soccer fields, a link road, temporary ablution blocks and parking on the Northern Campus of the school. This will link with the present Southern Campus, upon which the academic school is located.
Merrifield celebrated its 20-year anniversary last year, and has grown from an intake of about 50 students in 1997 to more than 670 students from pre-primary to matric currently attending the IEB school.
“After 20 years of steady growth, this is the next big phase for the school,” Merrifield board chairman Mike Simms said at the recent sod-turning ceremony.
“It’s taken us three years of planning and fundraising to get to this point and it’s very exciting. It underpins future growth of the school.”
Rumdel Construction are the contracted engineers, Lukhozi are the consulting engineers, and building only started after a lengthy Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, undertaken by consultants Terreco, Laughing H20 and in consultation with relevant government departments.
“I think it has always been important for Merrifield in terms of connecting the two campuses – the Northern Campus, our sports campus, and our Southern Campus, which is our academic campus. The infrastructure connects those two and in many ways, for me, this completes our school,” Merrifield executive head Dr Guy Hartley said.
The school is set on a 22ha plot in East London, on the corner of Bonza Bay Road and the N6. The land is in the care of a Trust set up by founding parents of the school, and the current academic campus is located on about 8ha. The new developments, across the valley, will occupy around 7ha, with environmentally sensitive areas being left as they are.
“As a green school it was important for us to look after the environment and not go through sensitive areas. There was a fine balance between development and addressing environmental concerns and I think we have done well through that process,” said Hartley.
Phase 2 will kick in after the current phase is completed, and will result in Merrifield having its own music and arts centre, additional tennis courts, netball courts, cricket nets, a club house and more. Phase 3, further down the line, will entail the construction of a sports centre.
“In terms of addressing our sports needs, these developments mean that in future we will be able to host our own derby days with our key sports; netball, hockey and soccer. I see it as enriching the school and the spirit of the school, especially the sports side which has been an area we have needed to address, especially given that our students have come such a way with their sports achievements.
“It has warranted this major development. It’s an exciting project in closing the loop and bringing the two campuses together.”