Residential hall not finished in time for students

The extension of University of Otago residential hall Aquinas College has been hit by delays....
The extension of University of Otago residential hall Aquinas College has been hit by delays. Photo: Peter McIntosh
A major delay to the extension of a University of Otago residential hall meant it was not finished ahead of the arrival of students.

The $23.3 million project to extend Aquinas College has been beset by delays and was originally scheduled to be finished last July.

In December last year, the university said it hoped it would be complete by January in time for the arrival of students, but now it has been delayed again.

This meant the 66 students set to move in to the extension are instead being housed in the Aquinas Priory building.

Acting director of campus development Gordon Roy said construction works for the buildings were complete and final checks, commissioning and sign-off were under way.

It was expected the extension would open in the "coming weeks".

Mr Roy said the delays to the project continued to be related to the challenges around resourcing and supply delays, specifically related to the facade.

"The university continues to work collaboratively with our contractors and suppliers."

The extension work was initially budgeted at about $18m when it was approved in 2021.

The college will be able to house 224 students once it is complete.

 

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