Restoration to begin on Hanmer’s historic Soldiers Block

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

Restoration of an iconic Hanmer Springs building is another step closer after a local contractor was selected for the work, with the aim of boosting local employment.

O’Brien Construction has won the contract to restore the historic Soldiers’ Block in the Queen Mary Historic Reserve, as part of a $3.5 million redevelopment.

The contract is to restore and earthquake strengthen the building.

Hurunui District Council chief executive Hamish Dobbie said he was pleased the contract has been won by a local business.

‘‘It is good to see these types of projects won locally as the money stays in the local economy and local people are employed.

‘‘To be able to bring it (Soldiers’ Block) back to life will be something quite special.’’

O’Brien Construction has previously worked on large projects with the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa.

Dobbie said work is expected to begin by the end of the month and is likely to take 12 months.

The Soldiers’ Block was opened in 1916 to rehabilitate soldiers returning from World War I, and was later used as a drug and alcohol treatment facility.

Hanmer Springs Community Board chairperson Mary Holloway said the town was ‘‘really excited’’ progress was finally being made, after the Queen Mary Historic Reserve was vested in the council back in 2010.

‘‘Having the project under way is going to be a huge boon for Hanmer and for the hospital site to be the beating heart of the village again will be pretty special.

‘‘Eventually it will be Hanmer’s Hagley Park.’’

Hanmer Springs-based councillor Tom Davies said the project will breathe new life into the reserve.

‘‘It is great for Hanmer, Hurunui and New Zealand that buildings of such significance are both preserved and brought back to a useful purpose.’’

The $3.5 million project is being funded by a Lotteries grant, $1.5m from the Government’s Better Off funding, development contributions and a grant from the council’s Earthquake Prone Buildings Fund.

Other proposed developments on the site included plans for Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura to build a wharenui on the site.

A 2022 report, prepared as part of a concept plan developed by Weta Workshop of Wellington, says Hanmer Springs was known as Te Whaka takaka o te karehu o te ahi a Tamatea (the resting place of the embers of the fires of Tamatea).

The thermal reserve was recognised as a place of regeneration and healing, making it a sacred place for Ngāti Kurī.

Plans are being developed to turn the Soldiers’ Block into a museum, which will require a further $5m to be raised.

The council is also proposing to build a new sports pavilion on the site and has budgeted $400,000 in its long-term plan.

■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.