Cambridge’s new primary school is not the only victim of the coalition government’s announcement this week to put education construction on hold.
The News’ lead story – six weeks ago – revealed “fiscal constraints” were responsible for delaying the school and had thwarted the marketing for Bridleways Estate built around the school’s presence at the heart of a “vibrant, intergenerational community”.
Mike Pettit
Cambridge Primary School principal Mike Pettit, also a district councillor, told councillors last week he had been told buildings loaded onto trucks for roll-challenged schools around the country had been stopped from going anywhere by the government.
He told staff to get alongside education officials to find out what was going on with stage two of the new school in Cambridge because so many families were moving to the subdivision in anticipation of its completion.
Much of the infrastructure for the school is already in place in the council’s C2 growth cell which has consent for 2500 homes, a retirement village, water utilities and roading.
Cambridge Road between Hugo Shaw Drive – the main entry to Bridleways Estate – and the Velodrome is full steam ahead with a new road and roundabout to cater for developments either side of the road.
Site for the new school in Cambridge. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Ready to go: Bus and turning bays, footpaths, landscaping and crossings are all in place ready for the school opening. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Construction was to have soon started at the unnamed school on a two-storey 1354m2 building with 13 teaching spaces, an administration building, library, resource room, hall, four spaces for learning and behaviour specialists, a learning support unit, caretaker’s shed, hard courts, playground and fencing.
Louise Upston
The school was to be “seamlessly integrated amidst the subdivision,” Bridleways website says.
“The new school serves as the cornerstone of a dynamic environment, fostering connections between generations and offering an unparalleled lifestyle for new residents,” it goes on to say.
Taupō MP Louise Upston told The News last month the school would be an important asset for Cambridge to help manage the demands of a growing population.
“I will be doing everything I can as local MP to advocate for its delivery.”
Erica Stanford
Education minister Erica Stanford said this week the national blowouts appeared to have been a result of “bespoke and over ambitious” construction plans.
Upgrades for up to 350 schools were now at risk and “exciting, bespoke building projects” might not be delivered, she said.
In response to The News’ questions, Stanford confirmed there were fiscal constraints for the Education ministry’s property delivery schedule.
See: Late for school
The News January 18 – click to read the article
The Bridleways Estate under construction. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
