Wellington school block closed over earthquake risk

The main block of Wellington East Girls' College has been closed because of fears it may not withstand a moderate earthquake.

This meant staff and pupils would not be able to use "significant proportion" of the school's classrooms for up to two years, The Dominion Post reported.

The decision to close the block came after an independent engineer assessed it as being earthquake prone.

Parents were told the block of nine classrooms, which can hold up to 250 pupils at a time, would be closed yesterday after the engineer's assessment was confirmed late last week. The block also has space for 73 teachers and support staff.

Principal Sally Haughton said the school was working with the Ministry of Education to fund the work.

She said she did not know how much the repair work would cost or how long it would take.

A report next week would determine if the block, which was built in 1924, would need to be demolished.

- NZPA