Porirua College gym gets $300,000 for permanent sideline seating

New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) has given Porirua College $300,000 to buy and install permanent seating along the sidelines of its gymnasium.

The gym is used for sport, recreation, cultural activities, performances and community events. Until now it has had no permanent spectator seating, so supporters have stood around the edges. That has made it harder for older people, disabled people and bigger whānau groups to attend.

Principal Ragne Maxwell says the college’s teams often play in local inter-school competitions, and the lack of seating has made it hard for whānau and community members to back them comfortably.

The seating will reduce health and safety risks from spectators and players gathering around the sidelines. It will also help the college open the gym to more community groups at weekends and during school holidays, when the building has mostly sat empty.

Phil Townley, the college’s Activator, says more seating should encourage students, whānau and staff to come along and celebrate their teams together. Townley adds that it will make sport more visible within the school, so students can see what is on offer.

NZCT General Manager of Grants, Marketing and Communications Ben Hodges says the new bleachers will make the gym safer and help the college be more welcoming for whānau.

Besides students and whānau, the gym is used by community groups and amateur, non-profit sporting organisations.