College gym set to take shape

A special ceremony at Chanel College has marked the beginning of work to construct a $1.8 million gymnasium at the Masterton school.

Archbishop John Dew travelled to the school recently to lead a professional development forum and at the same time, turned the sod at the proposed site of the new gymnasium to officially mark the beginning of construction, principal Grant Miles said.

The Wellington-based Catholic Schools Board that owns Chanel College - formerly St Joseph's College for Boys - had earlier earmarked $400,000 for the project and the school had also received a grant of $60,000 from the Masterton Licensing Trust and $30,000 from Lands Trust Masterton.

Mr Miles said Archbishop John Dew last year pledged a $1 million funding increase for the proposed gymnasium and last week announced the board investment had been again increased to a total of $1.56 million.

Mr Miles said the school was making a contribution of $230,000 toward the project that had been gathered through successful fundraising drives, including a school gala day and a giant book sale, and the Gymnasium Pledge Funding Committee, which also had raised funds from former pupils of Chanel College and of St Joseph's College for Boys and St Bride's.

The Chanel College Education Funds, the Chanel College Parents, Teachers and Friends Association, and the Gymnasium Building Committee also had helped raise funds, he said.

"We really appreciate the support of the community for the fundraising and as soon as the consent process is through, then we'll be finally under way."

Mr Miles said about $30,000 was still needed to support the project but enough funds were now in hand to begin construction.

"We're basically there and the gymnasium will be great for the school, great for the students and for the community, who will also benefit from it. "

The multi-purpose gymnasium will border the school hall and the No1 soccer ground, and will house a basketball court, a tennis court, four volleyball courts, a netball court, five badminton courts, an indoor hockey court, and static weights and fitness training areas.

There also will be a mezzanine floor that incorporates a classroom, kitchen and a viewing gallery, and the gym will be available for community use.