Ministry of Education head of property Sam Fowler said an investment of $4 million to rebuild Sara Cohen School on its current site was originally announced in 2018.
In 2020 the decision to construct the new school at the former Calton Hill School site in Riselaw Rd was made to avoid major disruption to the pupils of the school at the Rutherford St site.
A revised budget was established to deliver the development. The build would now cost about $7.5 million and was expected to be completed some time next year.
Works had begun for the newschool including demolishing a community hall and early childhood educational facility which were in poor condition, and new groundworks would be starting shortly, Mr Fowler said.
Principal Matthew Tofia said a state-of-the-art playground designed specifically for young people with intellectual disabilities would be available to families throughout Dunedin, even if their children did not attend the school.
The playground would be surrounded by unclimbable fencing to ensure a high level of safety and a fob system would allow families to access the playground when the school was closed.
Parents would be able to feel confident their children were able to play without having to constantly check on them, Mr Tofia said.
"If you go to a normal playground, our parents are hyper vigilant ... many of them feel judged and it can be quite a traumatic experience."
The fob would also give parents access to a toilet block.
"So they can stay the afternoon, have their lunches."
Features of the playground included an accessible sandpit "so you can bring a wheelchair up beside it", a wheelchair trampoline, and an inclusive carousel that allowed a wheelchair to be rolled on.
A set of three swings would include a wheelchair swing.
An interactive water feature would enable the pupils to control their environment by turning the water on and off.
"Many of our kids are fascinated by water," Mr Tofia said.
Another water feature was a pool with a hoisted area, a resistance swim current and underwater treadmill, enabling the school’s physiotherapist to offer hydrotherapy.
"There are a number of our kids for whom going to the public pool is a real challenge."
Mr Tofia said the new school would also be able to make a better connection with the community, including making the school hall available after hours and at weekends for local groups.
"We want to be part of the heart of the community."
