It’s been two years of planning and construction for Wakefield School’s obstacle course and on Friday, September 28, the course was officially opened.
Parents, friends, students and teachers were joined by Lees Seymour from Nelson Forests and Goldpine representatives Michael Sunderland and Greg Roper. The 80metre custom-built fitness trail, designed by the school’s students and staff, was generously built by parents and local engineering companies, and funded through the PTA and local businesses.
Following the ribbon cutting, ex-student Adrian Lister told the story of the Kahikatea tree he went on to plant in recognition of the school’s upcoming 175th anniversary celebrations.
Twenty years ago, Adrian discovered the Kahikatea beneath floorboards. “I just thought ‘wow, how did that thing survive under the floor’, and realised it was pretty special,” says Adrian.
The tree is the school’s emblem to encourage students to exhibit Kahikatea qualities by supporting one another.