The University of Otago has released plans to redevelop former student pub Gardies into a “study and social centre.”
Last year the University paid $1.75 million to buy the Gardens Tavern and transform the former drinking den into a new facility called the Marsh Study Centre, named after Graeme and Eunice Marsh, who made a “substantial donation” to the project.
The University of Otago Council approved the proposal for the facility based on a need identified in the Campus Master Plan for “more study and social spaces as the student roll has increased in recent years.” Critic hopes that the new students who have increased the roll are thirsty only for knowledge – University property services director Bruce McKay has stated that “alcohol would not be served” at the Marsh Study Centre.
A University spokesperson told Critic that consultation during preparation of the Campus Master Plan suggested that “students attached special importance to informal gathering and study hubs such as the Hunter Centre, ISB and Link and that they desired an enhanced provision of such facilities.” Luckily no one was the least bit attached to Gardies or the Bowler.
Vice-Chancellor Sir Professor David Skegg said that the centre will provide students with a “warm and comfortable environment for study in both group and self-learning modes.” Skegg describes it as “a really attractive venue for students living in the northern part of the city.” Critic suspects that students in the northern part of the city found Gardies pretty attractive as it was, particularly after a few rounds of Toss the Boss.
The existing building on the site, with 800 square metres of floor space, is to be modified and upgraded to provide study spaces for up to 250 students. Additionally, landscaping is to take place in the former garden bar to “provide attractive courtyard areas for study and relaxation.” Critic speculates that the landscape gardeners may find numerous treasures during the process of the redevelopment, including fossilised vomit and the petrified remains of the scarfie dream.
A University spokesperson told Critic that the cost of the redevelopment was “commercially sensitive.” The University plans to open the centre in time for the 2013 teaching year, but has not indicated when the upgrade will begin.
Because the only thing people like more than drinking is studying
