Central Kids happy to have a new home at Lynmore Primary

Barbara Stone with 4-year-old Sophia Alquezar. Photo / Andrew Walker

There's a lot of settling in to do and new routines to learn but staff and youngsters of Central Kids Rotorua East are over the moon to have a new home.

The centre's Owhata premises was all but destroyed during December's deluge of rain and there were fears doors would remain closed until a rebuild had taken place.

However, head teacher Barbara Stone was happy to announce Central Kids was operational again thanks to Lynmore Primary School.

"We've been able to open up using two classrooms at Lynmore Primary and are settling in well," Stone said. "We even have our own section of lawn which is a bonus."

Barbara Stone with pupils at the new premises. Photo / Andrew Walker

She said the wire fence separating the school children from the pre-schoolers was lively at interval and lunch times.

"Quite a few of our youngsters have older siblings at the school and they think it's great to be able to catch up when not in class."

Stone said it would take a wee while to adapt to the new surroundings but considering the centre would be operating from Lynmore Primary for at least a term, it was well worth it.

The old centre has been stripped down to a shell as the water that flooded through the lawn and buildings was contaminated with sewage.

"We've bought the bare minimum with us and the rest of what we were able to salvage is in storage."

She said it was still hard to believe a flood in the middle of summer was responsible for so much damage.