RIDGWAY SCHOOL

MULTI-PURPOSE SPACE PRELIMINARY DESIGN CONSULTATION

 

The Ministry of Education allocated Ridgway $253,000 to be used for additional floor space. In discussion with the community (April 2009) and staff, it was determined that the best use of the funding was to add a space on to the existing B3 classroom to create the biggest single space possible. This will enable the entire school to gather undercover on school grounds without having to move classes temporarily out of the A area.

 

We are now at the next stage and include here the preliminary designs for the project for your comments. Please forward all comments to the school office no later than Wednesday 22 July . You can either email us your comments ( office@ridgway.school.nz ) or drop them off at the office.

 

Building work will commence in Term 4 and be complete by Term 1 of next year, and is expected to take 14 weeks. B3 will move into B1 for the duration of Term 4 while the work is being undertaken. Tenders for the construction will be called for in mid-August.

 

Features of the design include:

•  Removal of the northern wall of B3, replaced by a panel foldaway door that folds back completely out of the open space. This door will be soundproofed such that two groups can use the facility at one time without disturbance.

•  A new door between B2 and B3. This allows staging to be placed at the south end of B3 and creates a “backstage” via B2 for productions etc.

•  Pridelands will have their own lockable cupboard located in B3 as it is envisaged that they would utilise the B3 end of the facility after school unless the full facility was required for a school event.

•  Storage cupboards will be added to the eastern side of the building extension without inhibiting the open space.

•  Doors on the western and northern sides of the extension will allow the facility to be opened onto to the courtyard in such a way that the extension may be the stage and seating outside. For assemblies, the stage would likely be placed in the north-eastern corner giving good views from throughout the building. All glass is double-glazed.

•  The existing B block ramp will provide the special needs access. A wide deck on two sides will provide outdoor seating areas.

•  The Fire Service has confirmed that they are able to use the main entrance of the school for vehicle access after some modifications to the raised garden area. This garden will be redeveloped closer to the western end of the C block.

•  Consideration has yet to be given to the relocation of the pedestrian gate from The Ridgway – we welcome suggestions from users of this gate.

 

Adventure Playground

 

We are currently exploring the options for moving and extending the adventure playground. The old adventure playground (to the south of the A block) is to be demolished as it poses a safety hazard and is difficult to maintain. It is likely that this will be the first choice for the site of the new adventure playground. Other possibilities include the area to the north of the existing playground where a facility for older children may be developed. The grass space at the end of B1 is another possibility. We will need to secure additional funding for any substantive changes but this provides an ideal opportunity to explore new options (particularly in the material used under the playground). We hope that some community grants would be available to us.