MAINZEAL, ONE of New Zealand’s largest and longest established construction companies recently celebrated its 40^th birthday, a testimony to the company’s vision, commitment to excellence and close attention to client needs. Over the course of the years, this dynamic company has been involved in some of the most high-profile construction projects in New Zealand, most recently the critically acclaimed Vector Arena in Auckland.

At a more local level, Mainzeal has plenty of experience too, such as in the updating and construction of new school buildings around New Zealand. In fact, just in the Canterbury region alone, the company has successfully completed projects at Mt Pleasant School, Woodend School, Burnside Primary School and Clearview School in Lowes Road, Rolleston.

Now Mainzeal can also add St Andrew’s College, founded way back in 1917 and one of the Garden City’s oldest and most prestigious independent schools to its impressive portfolio of school building achievements.

On December 4, 2008, the company was awarded the project to build a new state-of-the-art extension and refurbishment of the St Andrew’s College Science and Mathematics Centre.

The aim was to provide new classrooms and laboratories to the western side of the existing Science Block. A brand new sports pavilion and changing facilities on the southern side of the Science Block are also incorporated into the $3,200,000 redevelopment that will transform St Andrew’s College and offer a new level of facilities to both staff and students.

“When completed in October this year, the new block will give the school three additional laboratories, three science prep rooms, three new maths rooms and two computer rooms with an upgrade of another nine existing classrooms”, explains Graeme Earl, Construction Manager.

Naturally, as is the norm with all school building projects when school is in and students are rushing from class to class, this one has not been without its special challenges.

“The building site is in the middle of an operational school”, says Earl, “with the actual project attached to an existing and operational two-storey classroom block – providing for the safe passage and protection of all the students around and through the construction areas has been a challenge but has also proven to have been highly successful”.

Earl says the main structure is constructed from concrete, structural steel, exposed block wall, Hollowcore, precast flooring and Hyjoist while the attractive architectural finishing includes brick veneer, architectural glazing and Hardies products.

With the project flowing smoothly and on track to be completed on time and within budget, Earl feels it is appropriate to hand out a bouquet to everyone at St Andrew’s College who have helped him to make construction both a seamless and enjoyable experience.

“Mainzeal would sincerely like to thank all the staff and students at St Andrew’s College for their ongoing cooperation and patience during the construction period – I am sure they will be proud of and enjoy the new facilities when they are completed soon”, says Earl.