After three years, the final chapter has been closed on a $1.5 million project to rebuild and upgrade the Timaru Boys’ High School (TBHS) Harper Library.
The new space was formally reopened last Monday by former head boy and current Rangitata MP James Meager.
TBHS rector Dave Thorp said the building had been completely rebuilt.
“The whole roof and front of the building came off because there were serious problems with leaky material and black mould.
“It’s a really beautiful space now. It was always fine, but it was dated.
“In fact, the original building is one that’s replicated up and down the country.
“While it is the same space, there was the a chance to make it look a little bit different and come up with some other ideas.”
The rebuild had transformed the library into more of a multipurpose hub, he said.
“In the original building, there were two learning spaces, but they weren’t very useful.
“What we tried to do this time was make a couple of classes in there.
“So, in there is two really lovely open area classrooms and a careers area. The boys can access careers advice during the lunchtimes and things like that.”
The library was one of many building projects undertaken at the school in the last five years, Mr Thorp said.
“The school was probably down for a complete rebuild about a decade ago, but because of the Christchurch earthquake, [the Ministry of Education] decided to maintain the buildings for a longer period here.
“That’s worked out quite well for us because nearly every classroom has been refurbished and modernised.
“While they don’t look spectacular, they’re really great spaces to teach in.”
It was great to have the building up and running again, he said.
“Libraries aren’t the same as what they were 10, 15 years ago.
“No-one goes to a library to get a picture of a dolphin, they just look it up online, a lot of those reference books are gone.”
Library now were more about specialised books and a lot of fiction, he said.
“So, there was a smaller space required for the library, but we would never go away from books, I think books are important and the symbolism of them.
“Boys do like the tactile thing of reading with a book but the space is now also great for meetings and with the classrooms in there, it’s very much a learning place.”
Mr Thorp said he was very pleased with how the outcome of the project.
“We’re very proud of it because it’s quite beautiful.
“One of the great things about this build was the fact that we always try to work with the local contractors.
“Our two main contractors were Newlove Browning Architects and Timaru Construction.
“Over the last three to five years, construction-wise, they have had a hand in all of the major projects going on in the school.
“We love working with local firms.”
