New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) has awarded Porirua College a $300,000 grant to purchase and install permanent sideline seating in its gymnasium, making it safer and easier for students, whānau and the wider community to attend and support school and community events.
The gym is used for sport, recreation, cultural activities, performances, and community events by students, whānau, community groups and amateur, non-profit sporting organisations. Until now, it has had no permanent spectator seating, leaving supporters standing around the sidelines and limiting access for older people, disabled people and larger whānau groups.
Porirua College Principal Ragne Maxwell says, “Our teams regularly compete in local inter-school competitions, but the lack of permanent seating has made it difficult for whānau and community members to support them comfortably. The new bleachers will create a safer, more functional, and inclusive gym where more people can sit together and support our athletes.”
Permanent seating will reduce health and safety risks caused by 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 facility has previously been largely unused.
Year 13 Student Leader and Senior Girls’ Basketball player Vanessa-Jane Lolagi says, “With volleyball and basketball growing, it’s great that we’ll finally have proper seating. Families and friends will have space to support us, which will bring a much better atmosphere to the gym. Students used to feel bad that there was nowhere for supporters to sit. I’m glad younger students will get to enjoy it.”
Porirua College Activator Phil Townley says, “More seating will encourage students, whānau and staff to attend sporting events and celebrate our teams together. It will also make sport and other activities more visible within the school, helping students see the opportunities available and encouraging greater participation.”
NZCT General Manager of Grants, Marketing and Communications Ben Hodges says, “The new bleachers will make the Porirua College gym safer for athlete run off, help the college to be more welcoming for whanau and give students a larger home-court support they deserve. NZCT can fund this community good thanks to the fundraising partnerships we share with Legends Bar, Sandbar Mana and The Mariner via their host responsible gaming rooms.”