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Work on the Opihi College Block B project is nearing completion. Progress on this handsome building has been steady and the building is looking good.
“This has been a big project for our team,” says General Manager, Heather Harding. “We are proud of the work we’ve done. This building is going to be a great asset to the school.”
Lee Eastmead has headed the team on the Opihi Project.
The interior design features strong lines and contrasting angles.
Panoramic view of the interior.
The LVL portals are swung into place at Opihi College
Work is well underway on building the new Block B at Temuka’s Opihi College. This is a substantial project for the school.
“We enjoy projects like this,” says Simon Harding, Managing Director of Harding Construction. “Not only is it professionally satisfying, but the team takes pride in building something that will benefit the local community for generations to come.”
The LVL portals for Block B were installed with the help of 360 Cranes of Timaru. Blustery weather and Covid-19 safety management have not been an issue, with all parties working seamlessly to ensure a safe and efficient worksite.
These are no ordinary times, so we are conducting business as (un)usual.
New Zealand has entered a period where there’s a new ‘normal’. The way society operates will be different – and together, we can make it great.
How does that affect Harding Construction?
Unusual Offices: We are practising safe social distancing protocols. All visitors to our offices need to complete the Contact Tracing form on arrival and maintain safe distances whilst on site.
We can be contacted by phone and email and will conduct ‘contactless’ meetings via Zoom or Skype whenever practicable.
Unusual Sites: We want our sites to be safe for everyone. That means taking extra safety precautions in this new post-lockdown environment. These will affect everyone working on or visiting our sites. We have developed specific procedures for ensuring excellent health and safety practices, and including:
Restricted site access
Site management procedures
Covid-19-appropriate PPE
Safe working distances
Sanitary work areas
Effective contact tracing
Expect the Unusual: Our goal is still to finish our projects on time, on budget, with no surprises.
The post-lockdown environment will bring new challenges - and new opportunities. Working with our clients and trade partners we will implement new ways of operating to ensure the success of our projects in this ‘new normal’ environment. We are excited about South Canterbury’s future.
Let’s get building!
2020 is the year of transformation for this well-used community hub. Five years of careful consultation, planning and fund-raising has culminated in a grand makeover bringing this much-loved building into the modern age.
The stage and baptism pool take shape
“This building provides services for the whole community – not just church members,” says pastor Gordon Rosewall. “Modernising it will better enable us to fulfil that purpose.”
Now completing the carpentry work, Harding Construction has been involved since the project’s inception.
“A development like this needs a lot of support from the outset to make sure it all goes right,” says Simon Harding, Managing Director of Harding Construction. “This is a prime example of how Early Contractor Involvement is of great benefit to the client.”
Regular site visits and discussions with the church committee are an important part of the revamp process.
Pastor Gordon explains how important it was that the church received realistic feedback, practical design ideas and budgeting information throughout the process. “Harding Construction has provided ongoing input, improving designs and finding cost-saving measures to help make this dream a reality,” he says.
Major renovations are expected to be completed by the end of March, with minor extras to be done as budgeting allows. “It has been a pleasure to be involved with this project,” says Harding. “We know how important it is for Life Church and the wider community.”
Work is progressing well in the main church auditorium.
Business as usual: Sunday morning services continue throughout the modernisation process.
Harding Construction was the proud winner of the South Canterbury Medium Business Excellence Award, 2018.
“This was undoubtedly the highlight of our year,” said Managing Director, Simon Harding. “We are very proud of our team and of the work we do. It’s a real privilege to have been recognised in this way.”
Judges commended the company’s systems development, company culture and commitment to providing excellent customer service.
“It’s a thrill to have won this award,” said General Manager, Heather Harding. “It’s a real credit to the whole team. But we are also very are that like Man, no business is an island. We wouldn’t be where we are if it weren’t for the other great businesses we work with and rely on. South Canterbury really is a great place to do business in.”
The Business Excellence Awards (BEA) are well supported in South Canterbury, with record entries this year. Janet Hogan, BEA coordinator for South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce said organisers were excited by the calibre and number of entries received.
The BEA recognise and celebrate business excellence, playing an important role in promoting and strengthening economic development in the region. The entry process requires businesses to review their strengths and weaknesses by providing information and commentary on company systems, performance and culture.
"Answering the questions requires careful thought from different perspectives," says Simon. "Staff discussions to answer questions can also offer great insights into the culture of the business and prompt ideas for growth and development."
“Entering awards is not just about testing ourselves against others,” says Heather. “It also encourages self-evaluation and business analysis from another perspective. It can really make you think about your business in a new way. That’s got to be a good thing.”
Adele Fogarty, Office Administrator for Harding Construction, is a finalist for Employee of the Year in the 2018 South Canterbury Business Excellence Awards.
"We are thrilled that Adele is a finalist," says Heather Harding, General Manager of Harding Construction. "Adele is fantastic at her job. She is a terrific team member and is not only an inspiring and motivating colleague, but is also a lot of fun."
Born and bred in Timaru, Adele has worked as Office Administrator for Harding Construction since November 2016. She has a wealth of experience in administration and book keeping, as well as having owned her own small business. "Adele's depth of knowledge and professional experience coupled with her great attitude and engaging personality make her very effective in her job," says Harding. "She's truly deserving of her place in the finals."
The winner of the Employee of the Year Award will be announced at the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards Gala Dinner on August 24, 2018.
Cameron Hunter was selected to participate in the annual Koru Care trip to Disneyland for children with special needs. Cameron suffers from cerebral palsy and has a special mobility tricycle to help him get around.
“Koru Care will take Cameron to Disneyland with a group of 23 other special needs children,” explains Heather Harding, Coresteel South Canterbury.
“Koru Care will pay for most things, but the families were advised they needed to supply an extra-large suitcase to carry all the goodies home and also that they needed to have roughly US$500 for spending money. That’s actually quite a big ask for many of these families.”
Harding Construction and Coresteel South Canterbury purchased the suitcase of Cameron’s choosing and had it decorated by local designers, Corporate Print. “Cameron loves his new case,” says Heather. “He’s going to enjoy trailing that around the world!”
Cameron also held a trike-a-thon and raffle to help raise funds. “We actually raised more than we needed,” says his mum, Kate Hunter. “We’re thrilled because we’ll give the extra to Koru Care as a thank you gesture.”
Click here to see the video of Cameron receiving his suitcase. His mother's reaction was priceless, too!
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