Community hub collaboration launched
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A Kaiapoi initiative hopes to establish a much needed community centre through collaboration.
The Kaiapoi Community Hub Trust has announced plans to build a $6.8 million community hub in the former red zone.
The Waimakariri District Council is pitching in the first $1.6m to fund earthworks and utility services.
A further $200,000 has been made available from the Ministry of Social Development, leaving the community to raise $5m.
‘‘After Covid -19 lockdowns we saw there was a need for places where the community can connect,’’ Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon said.
‘‘The hub model works well and we’ve had successful examples of community hubs in the district to date, such as Northbrook studios in Rangiora.’’
But Gordon said the Kaiapoi hub would be unique, with purpose-built facilities for educational purposes and shared office space.
‘‘One thing we do really well in the Waimakariri district is collaboration, it is one of our greatest strengths.’’
The Kaiapoi Community Hub Trust is a collaboration between Satisfy Food Rescue and the Kaiapoi MenzShed, along with two independent trustees.
Chairperson Anthony Van Meer said the trust aimed to ‘‘create some community vibrancy’’
‘‘We don’t have that shared facility in Kaiapoi like other areas do. We lost our picture theatre and this site will be bigger than Trousselot Park.’’
Satisfy Food Rescue will occupy the northern end of the development, with a purpose-built facility where food can be processed for distribution to the region’s food banks.
The Kaiapoi MenzShed planned to build three sheds, while a shared community facility with a commercial kitchen and a large green space would also be established.
The trust also planned to build an auditorium, with the possibility of a picture theatre and recording studio.
The Kaiapoi Croquet Club was also building on the site.
Van Meer said other organisations had shown an interest in joining the project.
‘‘We are open to ideas and for groups who want to join the trust.’’
Satisfy Food Rescue chairperson Phillipa Hunt said her organisation was ‘‘excited’’ to be involved in a project with a community focus.
Keith Lawrence said the Kaiapoi Menz Shed was established post-earthquake by ‘‘four guys in a garage’’.
Kaiapoi Promotions Association chairperson Martin Pinkham said the hub was an important development for the town.
He said the hub would make the ideal location for the Kaiapoi Christmas Carnival and other community events.
Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey said he would be ‘‘going into bat’’ to help the trust secure funding from central government to match community fundraising efforts.
‘‘There is funding available through central government, so it is a matter of making the case.’’
For more information about the project go to kaiapoihub.org.
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Heritage gem or dangerous burden? Bowling club’s dilemma with historic pavilion
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A Rangiora sports club is frustrated with the increasing maintenance and insurance costs of its 113-year-old pavilion, which can't be demolished due to its historic importance.
The Rangiora Bowling Club approached the Waimakariri District Council last year for help, but was yet to find a satisfactory solution for the pavilion.
It is registered with Heritage New Zealand and listed in the Waimakariri District Plan, leaving the club with few options.
The club’s ex-president Norman Hewett said the pavilion on Good St, north of the town centre, is unsafe and no longer fit for purpose.
Hewett said the council has been supportive and Heritage New Zealand has offered advice, but no funding.
‘‘Everybody thinks the building is worth preserving, but there is a cost and it shouldn’t be put on the bowling club.
‘‘As far as we are concerned it is not fit for purpose and we want to know how we can get round that.
‘‘We want to know what the community thinks and if they want to retain it, are they willing to pay for it?’’
The club has formed a sub-committee to explore what options are available.
Sub-committee member Rodger Wilton said the club has been unable to find any record that the club had a say when the building was given heritage status.
Built in 1911, the pavilion served the Rangiora Bowling, Tennis and Croquet Club, which originally shared the site.
It cost 945 pounds and was opened on October 28, 1911.
The three clubs purchased 1.25 acres on the corner of Blackett and Good streets in April 1905, but later parted company, with tennis and croquet moving to new sites.
While no quotes have been sought, Hewett believed it would cost more than $1 million to bring the pavilion up to code.
Ideally the club would like to demolish the pavilion so it can upgrade its main building and remain on site.
The stairwell was non-compliant and there was no wheelchair access, meaning the club was unable to use the upstairs facilities.
There are loose tiles on the roof which need replacing.
An attached building behind the pavilion is sufficient to meet the needs of the 140 members and for hosting the largest bowls tournament in North Canterbury, Hewett said.
He said the club is open to all options, including a land swap or selling to a developer with the expertise to restore the pavilion.
Waimakariri District Council community and recreation manager Chris Brown said the council is working through various opportunities with the bowling club as part of a feasibility study.
‘‘There are a lot of options to consider. Each have various financial, social and operational implications.’’
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga said it had ‘‘expressed support for the adaptive reuse of the building and supported the club’s intention to investigate options for the pavilion and the associated land parcel’’.
The Rangiora Bowling Club is keen to hear the views of the community. Email rangiorabowling@gmail.com.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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