New $2 million facility an investment in the West Coast

Tai Poutini Polytechnic is set to start work in the new year on a $2 million purpose-built trades training facility in Greymouth.

Plans for the new 480 square metre, two storey Tainui Street building were approved today (Wednesday 26 November) by the Polytechnic Council, confirming the multi-million dollar investment in West Coast training facilities. The new facility will include a three-bay workshop, offices and classroom space. It follows construction of a new engineering workshop at the Polytechnic’s Westport campus, which is due to open after Christmas.

Tai Poutini Polytechnic Chief Executive Allan Sargison says the new building will vastly improve automotive training facilities and create a great learning environment for trades students.

“The new trades facility is an investment in the West Coast, as well as an investment in our training programmes. We are committed to delivering quality tertiary education opportunities to the people of the West Coast – this new building will give our tutors and students the extra space and machinery they need to create a state-of-the-art learning environment.”

Tai Poutini Polytechnic Facilities Manager Doug Griffin says the new facility will be a great boost for trades tutors and students.

“We have modelled the facility on an actual working environment, so students will be learning in real-life workshop surroundings. It will really raise the bar in terms of modern, spacious facilities for our students.”

A competitive process resulted in the tender for work being awarded to John Griffin Builder.

“We’re still finalising details around timeframes, but we expect work to get underway early in the new year and be completed later in 2015,” Doug says. “This means demolition of the existing on-site buildings and new construction will not interrupt this year’s Summer School programmes.”

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