New Hall for Churton Park

Churton Park is getting a new community and school hall.

Construction is under way on the project after the Ministry of Education and the Council reached agreement on the shared facility.

Churton Park's new school, to be called Amesbury Primary, is scheduled to open in 2012 with an initial roll of 250, but an expected capacity of 400 students. The Council will contribute $850,000 to the project.

Normally, a school hall would be much smaller but we initiated discussions with the Establishment Board of Trustees and the Ministry of Education in the early design stages with the aim of improving community and recreation facilities in Churton Park.

As a result, the new hall will be big enough for basketball, two badminton courts, indoor football, other ball sports and recreational activities, from yoga to zumba.

The school will manage the hall, including bookings for community use. The hall will be available for community use outside school hours, from 3.30pm to 10.00pm, Monday to Friday and 7.00am to 10.00pm, Saturdays, Sundays and during school and public holidays.

The Council's Community Facilities Portfolio Leader Councillor Justin Lester, says the agreement with the Ministry of Education is a wonderful outcome for Churton Park and will be a fantastic asset for the community.