Building purchase ends W.E.A. overcrowding

Press, 1 June 1981, Page 7

Building purchase ends W.E.A. overcrowding

The Workers’ Educational Association, after. 25 years crammed into , a small wooden building at 59 Gloucester Street, has expanded.

For $llB,OOO. the association has bought the Psychic Research Society's building at 72 Gloucester Street, almost directly opposite. The transfer of property will occur on July 1. The use of the old building will be retained. The honorary secretary of ‘he W.E.A.. Mr A. ’ A. Dingwall. said that the move would immediately relieve the association's congestion.

The new building had three tenants, who had been given three-year leases with right of renewal. The space vacated by the Psychic Research Society allowed the W.E.A. to expand greatly. The adult literacy programme and the learning exchange will be the first of the W.E.A. sections to move. Another room in the new building will be used as a lecture-room for up to 40 people and a room of a similar size will be freed for class-room use in the old building. The expansion has been accepted by the W.E.A. after a long search for relief from the overcrowding problem. The association had wanted to extend the present premises. but had been refused planning permission by the Christchurch City Council.

It had also considered long-term use of Polson

House, part of the old Teachers* College in Salisbury Street, but the . Education Department had not permitted a long-term lease.

Mr Dingwall described the Gloucester Street purchase as “infinitely better than the best deal we could have got from the Education Department. We cannot afford to buy it. but we cannot afford not to buy it." he said. To pay for the building,

the W.E.A. is raising a debenture issue for members who would like to support the project by making a loan. It has no problem in guaranteeing the debentures because the building at 59 Gloucester Street is freehold.

Interest rates, will range from free to 10 per cent. The association has also asked for cash gifts. Fundraising ventures will take place during the year.