After some frantic fundraising, PJ Olivier was finally able to officially open their new computer lab a year to the day after it was destroyed in a fire.
After some frantic fundraising, PJ Olivier was finally able to officially open their new computer lab a year to the day after it was destroyed in a fire.
On 28 February last year a runaway veld fire ruined an academic block at PJ Olivier, including five classrooms.
Thanks to the insurance payout and substantial donations from Rotary and other fundraising initiatives, however, they were able to rebuild their labs.
Phase one of the rebuilding project cost R500 000.
Phase two, for which Rotary clubs around the world collected R200 000, included a sound system, projectors, internet access and pull-down screens in all the classrooms.
After the fire, principal Piet Snyders said he aimed to have everything back up and running order by the second term of this year.
Neels Heunis building contractors, he said this week, wasted no time in getting the building renovated well ahead of schedule.
In fact, all the classroom equipment and computer labs were ready for class at the beginning of the year.
Last Thursday's opening function was attended by invited guests and friends of the school, together with all those involved in the renovations.
Bill Mills was thanked for his involvement as the project leader from Rotary Club of Grahamstown.
Phillip Slabbert from IT Solutions gave a demonstration on the interactive whiteboard, while Erika Esterhuizen, head of department, IT, gave a presentation on the computer lab.
