News briefs – February
School changes
Clyde Quay School students are returning to find their hall moved to a new place. Work began over the summer break to deliver a new schoolground layout with improved facilities and play areas.
In terms 1-2 this will mean a reduced lower playground area as the construction site (new hall location and sports court) will be boarded off to meet site health and safety requirements.
Cameron Ross, new principal of Clyde Quay School says: “I’m really excited about these changes and the progress on site over the holidays. It does will mean some compromise on playground space for students in the first half of the year, but the rewards for their patience will be huge.”
Mourning Myrtle
Beloved café Myrtle closed in December, sending fans of their coffee, scones, cakes and bread into mourning.
In an online post the owners paid tribute to the Mt Victoria location and community: “The character of the building, its unique position, and the warmth and support of the people who visit us, are not just part of our story — they are our story.”
The closure was forced due to the sale of the Kent Terrace building and adjacent car park.
Rental estate agent Sam McIlroy from MC Property said the new owner was a church organisation that planned to demolish the café to make way for a residential property.
Hania Street closed for Greek Festival
This year's Paniyiri (Greek Food Festival) will see the Pirie Street end of Hania Street closed, to make it safer for the crowds expected. There will also be more tables and seating available.
The festival, taking place this year on Saturday 22 February, attracts hundreds of Wellingtonians looking to partake of delicious Greek food and enjoy live Greek music and dancing.
A spokesperson for the event, Demetri Christoforou, said the event continues to attract large numbers of people and organisers were looking forward to a fun cultural event for all the family.
The event starts at 10.00 a.m. and finishes at 3.00 p.m. Entry is free and people are welcome to bring their own reusable food containers and bags if they can.
Kent Terrace flowers come and go
The vacant space beside the Embassy Theatre was briefly brightened up with a flower installation, which lasted only a few days.
The architect of the guerilla artwork is a mystery, with the council denying involvement and unable to find out who was behind the ‘blooming’ display.
Golden Mile changes delayed
Construction on the Golden Mile changes will happen this year, but a start date is not available. In November city councillors voted to retain the Golden Mile project with full funding in the Long Term Plan 2024-34, but this needs to be now be consulted on (again) with the public. The first project is changes to the alignment of the Cambridge and Kent Terrace Intersection by the Embassy, which will start ‘once contracts are confirmed’.
