Giving up ownership of Waitaki Boys’ High School’s iconic Hall of Memories comes as a “massive relief” to the Board of Trustees, says rector Darryl Paterson.

The decision to  sell the Heritage 1 listed building to the Ministry of Education was made at a board meeting at the end of August following consultation with the school community, Darryl said in last week’s school newsletter.

“We are incredibly grateful to the ministry in securing the future of our beloved Hall of Memories. This has to be the best news in the recent history of our school,” he said.

A consultation letter from the board was sent out to the school community in early August, asking for feedback on the change of ownership. 

The hall is on Waitaki Boys’ grounds, but was owned by the board. Most other buildings are owned by the ministry, and funded accordingly, board member Paul Edmonston said in the letter.

The board had been facing a major project to bring the 96-year-old building up to accepted modern building standards, estimated at a cost of $3.75m in October last year, made up of essential urgent work and non-urgent work.

Passing on ownership to the ministry will ensure the hall remains fit for purpose for the foreseeable future, “and that our school’s most precious asset is secure”, Darryl said.

“The ministry’s immediate priority is to ensure the hall is structurally sound and weathertight. 

“It is hoped this work can begin early in 2024 with a view to having all works completed in time for the hall’s centenary in March 2027.” 

The ministry has committed in excess of $2 million to complete the urgent work. The maintenance of the inside of the hall (including the organ, windows, chattels etc) will remain the school’s responsibility. 

The school will retain sole use of the hall, as it does currently.

“This comes as a massive relief to the board who were faced with the unenviable task of raising funds for the completion of this work,” Darryl said.