1. Why did the Shirley School move from the 10 Shirley Road site?
2. What were the plans for the old ‘Shirley School’ building at the time?
3. When did the ‘Shirley Community Centre’ start?
4. What facilities where added to the ‘Shirley Community Centre’?
5. When was the ‘Shirley Community Centre’ officially opened?
6. When did the ‘Shirley Community Centre’ building become a ‘Historic Place’?
7. What is the history of the ‘Shirley Community Centre’ since opening?
1. Why did the Shirley School move from the 10 Shirley Road site?
‘Shirley School to be rebuilt’, The Press, 19th March 1976
“Work is expected to start soon on the rebuilding of the Shirley School [across from the 10 Shirley Road site, at 11 Shirley Road], the Minister of Education has announced.
The school, which dates from 1915, is to be replaced for structural reasons.
Replacement accommodation will comprise an eight classroom block, two relocatable classrooms, a library-multi-purpose room, and administration accommodation.”
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19760319.2.76
2. What were the plans for the old ‘Shirley School’ building at the time?
‘Shirley Community Centre’: Letters to the Editor, The Press, 9th September 1977
“Sir, If the City Council’s reserve account has been drained to pay for the much needed Centennial Park project, where does the Shirley Community Centre and Adventureland Park project now stand?
The council, at a full meeting, after consideration of the community services report and others, earmarked funds to ensure that a whole community could get into gear and do their bit to ensure the old Shirley School site and buildings become a useful and working point for the community.
It is to be hoped that our funds have not also been drained while we await an agreement between the council and the Government.”
Yours, etc. G.D. Stanley, Chairman, Adventureland Community Team (Shirley).
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19770907.2.146.4
‘Shirley Community Centre’: Letters to the Editor, The Press, 19th September 1977
“Sir, In reply to G Stanley’s letter, may I say first this Citizens’ City Council has built more community centres than any other previous City Council, and the Shirley area will not be neglected.
We are waiting to acquire the old Shirley School site as soon as it can be released by the Education Department. We have been in close touch with the Minister of Lands who knows that the council is determined that this splendid site be not lost to the local community.
In the meantime a council community officer is working with local groups and the council has set aside $13,800 to help with building alterations.”
Yours, etc. P.N.G. Blaxall, Chairman, Community Services Committee, Christchurch City Council.
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19770909.2.85.2
‘Shirley community centre’, The Press, 19th September 1977
“Shirley residents are a step closer to gaining a community centre, according to the Community Centre Society. This prospect came with the Housing Corporation’s decision not to use the old Shirley School site.
“We had been notified that the Housing Corporation wanted the land.” said the society’s chairman (Mr I. Finlayson). “However, after discussions with the corporation it agreed to drop its claim to the site.”
He was assured by the Ministry that the site would be handed over to the Minister of Lands for disposal within the next few days.
It would then be possible for the Minister to consider declaring the site a reserve, and leasing it to the Christchurch City Council, which would lease it to the society. “We are tremendously pleased that this progress has been made and expect that if all goes well we will have the building in use as a community centre within a very short period” Mr Finlayson said.”
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19770919.2.14
3. When did the ‘Shirley Community Centre’ start?
‘Shirley centre starts with fair’, The Press, 31st October 1977
“Government approval in principle has been given for the old Shirley Primary School to be used as a community centre.
The decision has been greeted with delight by the Shirley Community Centre Society, which has been lobbying for rights to the old school – at the corner of Shirley Road and Slater Street.
The old school site has been set aside as a reserve for community purposes, and the Christchurch City Council has been appointed officially to control and manage it.
The Minister of Lands had said this will allow the land and buildings on the site to be available as a community centre, and the council to delegate day-to-day management to the society. The council would assume control of the school site immediately.
Several local organisations have said they will use the old school buildings, and a skateboard area and adventure playground are planned already. The secretary of the society said her group was delighted with the decision.
It would give the area a focal point, and would be much appreciated by the locals.
The City Council has promised $13,800 towards the community centre – on the condition that the society raises $5250.
The combined funds will go towards structural improvements, heating, a ramp for wheelchairs, rewiring and general alterations. To raise its share of this money, the society will hold a fair today at the old school.”
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19771031.2.56
4. What facilities where added to the ‘Shirley Community Centre’?
‘Need seen for creche’, The Press, 10th February 1978
“The Shirley Community Centre may soon have creche facilities for working parents and those attending activities at the centre.
The centre’s committee is now trying to assess demand for such facilities.
The secretary said it was hoped that the creche would run during the mornings and afternoons. Three hours would be the maximum time in each period for a child…the committee felt that there was a need for child care facilities for parents attending the centre as well as for parttime working parents.
The creche might also cater for parents wanting to attend appointments and for school holiday care.”
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19780210.2.107
5. When was the ‘Shirley Community Centre’ officially opened?
‘Shirley centre to be opened’, The Press, 31st October 1978
“The Shirley Community Centre will be officially opened by the Mayor (H. G. Hay).
The centre, on the corner of Slater Street, Shirley Road and Chancellor Street, has been the venue for various social and cultural activities for about a year, but has not been officially opened.
A community fair will be held at the centre, and Mr Hay will perform the opening ceremony.”
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19781031.2.30
‘Centres “good investment”’, The Press, 8th November 1978
The opening of the Shirley Community Centre represented another milestone in the Christchurch City Council’s policy to provide strategically sited centres throughout the city, said the Mayor of Christchurch (H.G. Hay) at the opening of the centre.
It was not long since centres were opened in Aranui, Hoon Hay, and Sydenham and, during the last few years, the Council had spent a considerable amount of ratepayers’ money in this field, said Mr Hay.
“But I believe we are receiving a good return on our capital investment in terms of the variety of uses to which these centres are being put.” he said.
The Shirley Community Centre had been a good example of co-operation at “grass roots” level, the council responding to a strong local citizens’ move and genuine desire to provide a community amenity.
The buildings for the centre had been school buildings: Mr Hay said that he hoped the former Bromley School site could soon be vested in the City Council and re-established like the Shirley centre as a community centre for a developing residential area.
The council was waiting for Government approval for the old Bromley School to be handed over to it. “I hope that preoccupation with election campaigning does not unduly delay the appropriate Ministerial consent,” said Mr Hay.”
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19781108.2.75
6. When did the ‘Shirley Community Centre’ building become a ‘Historic Place’?
Heritage New Zealand’s Register of Historic Places
Shirley Community Centre (Former Shirley Primary School).
Register Number: 7117. Registration Type: Historic Place Category 2.
This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980, on the 17th December 1993.
“With its hipped roof and symmetry, the overall flavour of this school building is Georgian. Its U-shaped plan, and large and regular fenestration, together hint at the Jacobean influence which was to be developed in Penlington’s later work.
In addition, it provides evidence of Penlington’s skill in polychromatic brick construction.”
https://quakestudies.canterbury.ac.nz/store/object/111836
7. What is the history of the ‘Shirley Community Centre’ since opening?
‘Community Centre ideal venue for groups, clubs’
Christchurch City Council Community Plan, Shirley/Papanui 2002 Edition
“The Shirley Community Centre is located in a park like setting on the corner of Shirley Rd and Slater St and has excellent, well-lit parking and disabled access.
If you want to hire out a room (there is also a hall with a small stage!) for educational, cultural or recreational activities, give the Centre Co-ordinator a call, or come into the Centre Monday-Friday 9.30am-12.30pm.
A Brief History:
Shirley Community Centre was originally opened as Shirley Primary School in 1916.
Falling roles and high building maintenance cost resulted in Shirley Primary School moving to its present site across the road.
In May 1977 the building and site became surplus to Ministry of Education requirements.
In October 1977 Christchurch City Council was appointed to control and manage the site pursuant to the Lands and Domains Act 1953.
The site was set aside for use as a Community Centre and the running of the Centre was handed over to the Shirley Community Centre Society, which had been established earlier in the year to lobby for the building to be used as a Community facility.
The centre opened for hire in March 1978.
Over the next almost 25 years funding from the City Council, fundraising and volunteer work from members of the Society and the local community have restored this building to a pleasant, well appointed Community Centre the local community can be proud of. It is well used by both local and citywide community groups, clubs and some commercial ventures, and is largely self-funding.
Groups use the centre for activities such as meetings, art, pottery, yoga, karate, aerobics and exercise classes, spinning, lace making, computer tuition, latin dancing, bridge, parenting and antenatal classes, first aid, walking groups and social clubs.
In addition the centre leases space on an ongoing basis to Seniornet Canterbury, Christchurch Parent Centre, the Shirley Pottery Group, NZ Society of Genealogists (Canterbury) and Santa’s Workshop.”
http://archived.ccc.govt.nz/Council/CommunityPlans/Shirley-Papanui/2001/CommunityCentreIdealVenueForGroupsClubs.asp
“The previous community facility played a crucial role in enhancing community well-being.
A range of activities were lost when the community facility at 10 Shirley Road was removed post-earthquake.
A number of these groups have since been re-established in other locations:
– Senior Net (moved to Westminster Street)
– New Zealand Society of Genealogists (moved to Parklands Community Centre)
– Pottery (disbanded)
– Parent Centre (moved to Bishopdale, now at The Village @ Papanui)
– Santa Workshop (now at Shirley Intermediate)
– Canterbury Embroiders (to Hammersley Park)
– Shirley Recreational Walkers (meet on Chancellor Street)
– Shirley Leisure Group (finished up because no suitable building in the area on a main bus route)”
https://letstalk.ccc.govt.nz/SCR/SCRHistory
13.3 Appendix 3. Open Strategies – Past Users Shirley Community Centre
Celebration of the past:
1. There were weekly leisure clubs for the elderly, who attended for friendship, companionship and exercise.
The fact that the centre was ‘local’ made it easier for them to attend.
2. There were antenatal classes which were popular and had waiting lists.
As well as residents learning during the classes, they often built enduring relationships with others.
3. There were opportunities for babies to enjoy music.
4. Rooms were a great size for mothers learning together.
5. All classes were packed with people due to learning and social opportunities and links were created.
6. AFS met at the building and included a sit-down meal.
7. A home school group regularly met at the building.
8. A pottery group had a kiln and their own space in the building.
9. Genealogy had their own room.
10. Parents centre had their own room.
11. Santa’s workshop had their own space.
12. A fly fishing club met there.
13. A knitters club met there.
14. The Centre was used by Senior Net.
15. Rooms had a little stage.
16. A toy library operated there (with its own storage facility).
17. Weight watchers ran meetings there.
18. Playcentre training was done in a classroom.
19. A church used the big space.
20. The primary school currently has no large spaces so it is hoped that the new centre will have some larger spaces (while acknowledging that the Intermediate school has a good-sized hall).
21. The old centre worked as a ‘Drop-in centre’ due to a worker being there on a part time basis in the Foyer/and other permanent groups based in the centre so the old centre felt continuously alive.
22. A Cook Island group worked out of there.
23. The centre encouraged people to meet there – building a sense of community through attending classes.
24. The group who ran the Centre dissolved recently.
25. The centre was welcoming to people and was used by local groups as well as by groups from throughout Christchurch.
26. The centre had good parking and plenty of space.
27. It had history – residents had gone to school there.
28. Groups have located to other areas could and would (probably) come to this new space eg Zumba group currently in Aranui.
29. The combination of building and green space was attractive to people so it is hoped that this combination can continue.”
2019 Feasibility Study: GLG Ltd Report, Page 44
“…the Council completed a community consultation process. The work was undertaken by Open Strategies in November 2017.
Its report provides a unique window into what local residents identified as needed in a new community facility.
It contrasted in many ways with the [Crossways] proposal then submitted to the Shirley Papanui Community Board by Crossways.” Page 7
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Shirley_Community_Centre_Feasibility_Report_and_Business_Case_August_2019.pdf