28 The Chronicle 2021 29 Centenary Edition Following a halted 2020 capital expenditure investment programme, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and economic uncertainty, it was good to see capital expenditure activity on the campus recommence in 2021. Continued investment is essential to maintain the buildings, campus, and surrounds to Kearsney’s standards. CENTENARY PLINTH The most notable addition was the Centenary Plinth, opposite the Greyhound Pavilion. The plinth is a wonderful celebration of the College’s centenary year and provides a perfect backdrop for photographs of pupils, parents, Old Boys and other visitors to the campus. The Centenary Plinth was generously donated by the Kearsney Parents’ Society with contributions from fellow schools, Highbury, Clifton College, Epworth School, Umhlali Prep, St Mary’s DSG and Michaelhouse, to congratulate Kearsney on our milestone year. KEARSNEY COLLEGE ROAD Much of the capital expenditure this year was channeled towards upgrading the infrastructure on the campus, with the resurfacing and re-curbing of Kearsney College Road. The first phase was the culmination of significant planning to ensure that no detail was overlooked. This upgrade included traffic calming, dedicated pedestrian pathways and road crossings for the boys. All services have been housed in underground servitudes. The road resurfacing is planned to take place across the entire campus road system over several future phases in the next few years. This will include installation of a complete pathway network for the boys.A significant portion of Kearsney College Road runs through the Kearsney campus and is gated off to the general public. Approximately 10 years ago Kearsney entered negotiations with the local municipality to purchase this portion of Kearsney College Road. Although there has been significant progress with this transaction, it has not yet been transferred to Kearsney’s name. We look forward to the day when it formally becomes the property of Kearsney College. ELECTRICAL RETICULATION Kearsney has always prioritised the upkeep of the electrical system on the campus over the years. With the aging infrastructure on an 82-year-old campus it is critical that the integrity of the electrical reticulation is meticulously maintained. To this end, 1 202 metres of underground cabling has been installed this year. GENERATOR UPGRADE In 2008 Kearsney prepared for instability on the national power grid by installing a 400kva generator. A generator with excess capacity was installed to be able to provide critical areas of the campus with power during load shedding and unplanned outages. In 2021, the increased load shedding and electrical demand on the campus, as well as ensuring uninterrupted services to all areas of the property, warranted the investment into a further 800kva generator. The 400kva generator was moved to the Greyhound Pavilion to supply the north section of the campus with standby electricity. This investment, and the 1.2 million kl water reservoir, ensures that the running of the school is not reliant on municipal services. Campus Developments in 2021 STAFF HOUSING The maintenance and upgrade of staff housing on campus continues to be an important focus for capital spend. Quality of life on campus is a key component to attracting and retaining top academic staff. LANDSCAPING Visitors will have noticed the relandscaping of many of Kearsney’s focal plant beds with indigenous flora during 2020 and 2021. This is in keeping with Kearsney’s strategic plan and will be continued throughout the campus. PEMBROKE FAÇADE The completion of the South Wing of the Centenary Centre and the landscaping of the path outside Pembroke highlighted the need to upgrade Pembroke’s old windows and bring the architecture of the façade into line with the Kearsney-style architecture. In March 2020, builders were on site to execute this project when it was suspended due to the outbreak of the pandemic. We were so pleased to be able to complete this project by the end of 2021. ZERO WASTE RUBBISH DISPOSAL Much thought and planning went into a less glamorous section of the campus, the rubbish disposal area. This has been transformed into a recycling and composting centre, where the ultimate aim is for Kearsney to become a zero-waste community. Great strides have been made towards this goal in 2021. Ms Catherine Mowat Commercial Director Kearsney College Road upgrade and pathway network The Centenary Centre South Wing was completed and unveiled in August 2021 Pembroke Facade - work begun Centenary Plinth Centenary Centre South wing quad Centenary Centre South wing end façade
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