108 | COMMUNITY St Peter’s College: JC Builders T T Russell Fredric Upgrades enhance science learning The second of two stages was completed in May 2026, which saw the refurbishment of ageing laboratories and adjoining classrooms. A dated science block at St Peter’s College Gore has been brought up to a modern learning environment through a staged upgrade. The second of two stages was completed in May 2026, which saw the refurbishment of ageing laboratories and adjoining classrooms dating back to the 1960s. Stage 1 delivered two upgraded labs, followed by stage 2, which was completed by local firm JC Builders, delivering a further upgraded laboratory, a large general teaching space, and connecting corridors, with a total cost of $560,000 and $690,000 for stages 1 and 2 respectively. Overseen by Catholic Diocese of Dunedin property manager, Craig Paterson, stage 2 works started during the 2025/26 Christmas holiday period. Along with new wall linings, insulation, double-glazed windows and joinery, the spaces were equipped with heat pumps replacing old radiator systems. A key outcome has been more functional, student-friendly laboratory environments. New bench layouts and cabinetry support practical learning, while integrated services, including upgraded gas systems, water, and specialist air extraction, have brought the laboratories into line with modern learning facilities. The improvements extend beyond the labs themselves. Adjacent teaching spaces and student circulation areas have been refurbished to create a more cohesive environment, with added glazing along corridors increasing natural light and openness across the block. From the college’s perspective, the upgrade is about more than infrastructure. Modern, well-performing spaces are seen as directly supporting student engagement and learning outcomes, particularly as science education becomes more hands-on and inquiry-driven under the New Zealand curriculum. Craig says strong consideration was given to how the spaces feel as much as how they function day to day. “It’s just all about environment – opening up the block, improving the light transfer, and making it a better place to be. I’d like to think that pleasant, warm and inviting spaces will influence students’ ability to learn.” Delivering that outcome required careful staging and coordination. Stage 2 was completed within a tight programme following tender acceptance in late 2025, with demolition and strip-out works involving stripping interiors back to existing framing and floor slabs and rebuilding them, work that was carried out during the Christmas period to minimise disruption. JC Builders’ role centred on managing the complexities of a live school environment, while delivering a high-quality finish in technically demanding spaces. Laboratory fit-outs required precise integration of services with joinery and layouts, alongside the use of durable, chemical-resistant materials suited to long-term use. The upgrade also reflects a practical approach to extending the life of existing buildings. By retaining the core structure and investing heavily in internal renewal, the college has been able to achieve a clear step up in how the buildings perform as a learning space without the cost of a full rebuild, and delivering value from existing assets. “This is part of a general site-wide upgrade of St Peter’s, which we will be moving on over the next two to three years,” says Craig. Future plans include refurbishment of the college’s three-storey block, with each stage contributing to a gradual transition away from older infrastructure, including the replacement of legacy heating systems. “Every time we do a bit of work we’re stepping away from the coal-fired boiler, and moving to electrification heat pumps, which makes the environments better for the pupils,” Craig says. The power of the written word. New Zealand Business News, delivered to you.
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