Wakefield’s new kindergarten

As the waitlist for Nelson Tasman Kindergartens climbs, the head of the association hopes that a former Scout building will be brought to life as a new kindergarten for Wakefield.

Nelson Tasman Kindergarten Association (NTK) has taken over ownership of the former Scouts Aotearoa Building next to Faulkner Bush Reserve.

The building, off Treeton Place, sits on land that is owned by Tasman District Council, who have agreed to ask for public submissions on issuing a new land lease.

NTK chief executive Craig Vercoe says his hope is that it will be one of the most unique kindergarten sites in the region with the largest open play space of any of their 24 current facilities.

Craig says there are currently 259 children waiting to get into their four kindergartens between Richmond and Brightwater, and early plans for the Wakefield site will accommodate 40 children.

“This is about us identifying where the growth is and accommodating that need.”

Craig says he has been searching for a suitable site in Wakefield or Spring Grove for two years and initially approached Scouts to form a joint venture, with NTK purchasing the building and allowing Scouts to operate from the site.

Although that option is still on the table, Craig says Scouts don’t have a need for a site in Wakefield at this time.

“Our intent, depending on building reports, is to keep the integrity of the building, acknowledging its long history.”

He says early planning would see the exterior fully re-clad in a more natural look, similar to a log-cabin, with decking around the front and side of the building.

The outdoor playground will be the same, he says, with no plastic play equipment, in-keeping with the “picturesque” surroundings.

Extensive work will be undertaken inside the building to bring it up to standards including economical heat retention and play space.

“Hopefully we can keep all the wooden beams, and we would love to be able to find a way to retain the large fireplace if we can.”

Tasman District councillors last month voted to put the option of whether to lease the land or not out for public submissions, which are now open.

At the time of the meeting, councillor Christeen Mackenzie said consulting the public was a good idea “in the interest of being open and transparent with the community”.

“Whilst the report says it is widely known in the community… I’m not sure that is the case,” she said of the potential kindergarten.

However, councillor Mike Kininmonth said consulting was a case of being “hamstrung by bureaucracy.”

“This opens up the possibility of the kindergarten losing access to this Scout hall. The reality is the building has been sold by scouts to NTK.

“We are going to the public about a ground lease for a kindergarten, we are hamstrung by bureaucracy.”

However, it was decided that it was a “bigger risk” by not consulting the community.

Submissions are now open on the lease proposal. The full lease plan can be viewed here with submissions closing on Friday, 14 July.