Te Puke High plans for community action centre

Te Puke High School is looking to add to its own, and the town’s, facilities.

The school is investigation the development of a community action centre that would benefit students and the wider community.

The current school gym opened in 1971 and is now too small to meet the needs of the school and the community.

“It’s not fit for purpose any more and the board, over the last few years, has been working through how we are going to go about the process of getting a new gym,” says project manager Rebecca Wichmann.

What is being suggested is a recreational hub that can be used by the school and community groups.

It could incorporate a range of services and resources such as basketball/netball courts, cardio room, weights room, sports hall, meeting rooms, commercial kitchen, spin studio, climbing wall and onsite professionals.

The resources of the centre could also be used to deliver a range of health, recreational, cultural and education services or programmes to the school and wider community.

At this early stage, no location has been decided, but one possibility is in the vicinity of the current horticulture block.

There is potential for capital contributions to what would be a $6 million project from various sectors such as education and local government along with other funders such as the National Lottery or local charitable trusts.

A feasibility study is being prepared and a survey being undertaken to gather the views of the school and wider community.

There is also a Facebook page - Te Puke Community Action Centre - where people can leave comments. Go to www.aprconsultants.co.nz/tphs_ community_action_centre_survey. To date 104 responses have been received.