Rakaia Rec Centre ready for its roof
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
There’s a big roof shout on the cards in Rakaia this week.
Project manager Mark Boag said the roof was set to go on this week for the $1.7 million-odd community-led recreation centre in the Rakaia Domain.
Construction began in January and was tracking along nicely with all the framework and roof trusses in place, Boag said.
“The roof goes on this week and then I imagine things will look like they are slowing down as they start on the inside.”
The Rakaia Recreation Centre is on target to be completed in July.
“We won’t be in it for the rugby season but it might be ready for the end-of-season function.”
The old Rakaia Rugby Club changing rooms and public toilets facility were demolished to make way for the modern fit-for-purpose community facility.
The new single-story building will have clubrooms, with a commercial kitchen and bar that can fit up to 150 people, and it is elevated so spectators can view games from the wrap-around, covered deck.
“Being raised up like that will be ideal for watching rugby or anything that’s going on.”
It also had six changing rooms and two separate shower blocks so they could easily accommodate men’s and women’s rugby, Boag said.
The building would be available for the local sports club to use, and for the wider community to hire, he said.
The council funded the $351,000 replacement public toilets, a prefabricated toilet block incorporated into the end of the centre, near the car park.
The project has been led by the Rakaia Rugby Club and a community that has been raising funds for a new facility in the Rakaia Domain for a decade.
With the building under construction, the club uses the neighbouring Rakai Bowls Club for its aftermatch functions and has some containers set up as temporary changing rooms and showers.
“They seem to work well although things might be different in the middle of winter, but it’s only for one season.”
Poll: Would you want an unconventional funeral?
Funerals can cost as much as $22,000 and the planning can be stressful especially at a time when loved ones are grieving. Some New Zealanders are re-imagining funerals by making their own coffin or having a relaxed ceremony at home. Would you want a less traditional funeral? Share your thoughts below.
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84.2% Yes
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13.8% No
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2% Other - I'll share below!
Ashburton’s old library sold
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
The old Ashburton Public Library building has sold, but what that means for ratepayers remains under wraps.
How much it sold for, who the new owners are, and what their plans are for the site remain sealed for now.
The building, on the corner of State Highway 1 and Havelock St, was home to the Ashburton library for nearly 60 years.
Ashburton District Council chief executive Hamish Riach said there were three offers on the property and the settlement date is May 10.
“The purchase price remains confidential at this stage.
“The new owner has asked for anonymity until they are ready to announce their plans for the site, and we will respect that.”
The funds from the sale of the old library are planned to be put towards paying off the construction of Te Whare Whakatere, the new library and civic centre, offsetting the impact on ratepayers.
The council also planned to sell the old administration building site but a decision has not yet been made, Riach said.
“The council is looking to conclude the long-term plan process before making that decision.”
The final build cost of Te Whare Whakatere is yet to be confirmed.
“Once that is confirmed we will advise publicly,” Riach said.
Riach previously stated the final cost would be known after the “resolution of all matters between the council and construction and design contractors”.
Initially budgeted at $56.7m, before its completion the council signalled an overrun in the region of 10%.
The project also received $20m from the government’s shovel-ready infrastructure fund.
While the plans for the old library site remain unknown, the fountain on the corner of the site will move to the Tinwald Domain.
Business support group manager Leanne Macdonald said the fountain is on the same title of land as the library and the council has been talking with the family that donated it about its future once the library was sold.
“The council is currently working with a local contractor to build a drinking fountain beside the playground at the Tinwald Domain and some parts of the library fountain, including the fish, will now form part of the new fountain.
“We think this is a great way to preserve a slice of its special history.”
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