Volunteers and Celeb’s at Taupo Primary Reno project this weekend

More than 50 volunteers are expected to join celebrity guests Duncan Garner (TV3 Story, Radio Live) and Stan Scott (Stan the Builder from the ‘Easy As’ Mitre 10 DIY series) at this weekend’s playground makeover at Taupo Primary School.

Much of the preliminary work for the playground makeover has been completed over the past few weekends thanks to the efforts of Project Manager Mike Darvill, his Bayline Construction team and 15 local builders and school parents who have all volunteered their time for the project.

“Grassgrowers Ltd have removed a huge amount of the old concrete surfaces, and we’ve created the new river, tunnel and bridge areas in advance of the working bee this Saturday,” explains Mike. “We’ve now got the big things in place ready for the volunteers to get stuck in this Saturday.”

The project, funded by Mitre 10 Mega Taupo and 100% Lake Taupo Charitable Trust, sees the entire junior playground area transformed from a concrete and dust landscape, into an interactive play area with a number of zones, including an obstacle course, and nature walk, and a rocky river with running water. Each classroom in the junior school area will have a planter box, complete with seating, that they can use to plant whatever they like.

Taupo Primary School Principal, Cushla Seamer, said the school community were thrilled to be selected as the first recipient for the Mitre 10 Mega Makeover Weekend project.

“The student, staff and wider school community are excited about the makeover,” said Ms Seamer. “We’re so lucky to have this opportunity, and the resulting playground will be a wonderful asset to the school and the Taupo community.”

Volunteers are welcome to join in at the school this Saturday (19 March) from 8am to 4pm.

“We have hundreds of plants to put into the ground on Saturday,” explains Mike, “plus plenty of other jobs to get everything ready for the kids on Monday!”

Volunteers are asked to bring their own garden tools and gloves with them if possible, and can join in at any stage throughout the day. A supervised area for children to play will be available, and lunch will be provided for volunteers who are there all day.

For more information, please contact Taup? Primary School.