The Waimakariri district hosts art competition in lieu of unity day
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
The Waimakariri district has celebrated unity in style.
Members of the local Iranian community joined forces with Global Locals of Waimakariri (Glow) and the Waimakariri District Council’s community team to organise an art competition.
Mayor Dan Gordon said the competition was ‘‘a truly wonderful collaboration’’.
‘‘Our district continues to grow and as a result we are honoured to welcome many new families from other parts of the world, as I do regularly at citizenship ceremonies.
‘‘Their arrival enriches our communities and provides us all with the opportunity to embrace new cultures.’’
Race Unity Day is marked in New Zealand on March 21, to coincide with Iranian New Year.
Members of the Iranian community came up with the idea of an art competition, inviting local school children to create a poster depicting what the theme ‘‘celebrating different cultures’’ meant to them.
It was the first time the Waimakariri District Council had been involved in events to coincide with Race Unity Day and community development facilitator Caroline Boswell said she was blown away by the response.
‘‘We had more than 120 entries which is pretty for the first year and is far more than we anticipated.’’
She says the competition was made possible with support from the Ministry for Ethnic Communities.
Gordon said he was impressed with the calibre of the entries.
‘‘I have to say I am extremely impressed with the calibre of work and the interesting way the brief has been interpreted, showcasing what celebrating different cultures means to them.
‘‘It is my hope that this will be the first of many for our district.’’
A prizegiving was held in the council chambers recently to celebrate the success of the competition.
Fernside School, near Rangiora, took home a special prize for the most entries.
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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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