Ardgowan School pupils will now be able to get themselves safely to school in the new year.

Work will begin on a walking and cycling route between Eden Street (which becomes Ardgowan Road), and the school on January 8, and should be complete in time for the new school term (weather permitting).

Waitaki District Council has awarded the contract for the path to local construction firm Specialised Services Group.

Ardgowan School principal Ryan Fraser said the project is “really exciting” not just for the school, but for the whole community. 

“I am sure it will get a lot of use and to have it ready for the beginning of the 2024 school year is awesome,” he said.

The topic of the path came up in a November pilot of the council’s Community Conversations initiative,  with the school’s Year 7 and 8 pupils. Safer walking and cycling routes has been one of the important issues for the school.

Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher said it is fantastic to be able to connect Ardgowan School

up with Eden Street.

“It’s been a long-term aim of the school community to have a safer walking and cycling route, and we’re pleased to be able to provide it for them,” he said.