Interest in central city student campus

A NEW campus for up to 3000 WelTec and Whitireia polytech students and staff could be set up in the heart of Wellington.

One of two sites understood to have been shortlisted is at the bottom of Cuba St, where the quakeprone old Deka building is earmarked for a major redevelopment by Willis Bond.

Willis Bond managing director Mark McGuinness said work was being done on development plans for the site that would involve alternative uses but he could not comment on whether they might include a polytech campus.

‘‘But anything that injects vitality into the heart of the city is a good thing and something to be applauded.’’

The Wellington Company managing director Ian Cassels said he was told his company was in contention and there were several sites on the Te Aro flat which he believed would be ideal.

Whitireia’s radio and journalism courses are already run out of The Wellington Company’s Crombie Lockwood building in Dixon St, while its performing arts and film/TV courses are in Vivian St premises.

WelTec operates five courses in Wellington. Its hospitality school moved into shared Cuba St premises with Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute last year, while four other schools are based in Church St.

Consultants employed by the two polytechnics called for expressions of interest earlier this year for 12,000 to 15,000 square metres of space for a ‘‘Heart of the City’’ tertiary vocational educational precinct.

‘‘This campus will provide a contemporary and dynamic environment for students close to amenities, entertainment, student accommodation and public transport..’’

They plan to run a wide range of programmes from the campus, including a joint centre of creative and performing arts and technology, business studies, health and wellbeing and tourism.

Whitireia chairman Roger Sowry said there were five expressions of interest from property owners/developers.