Community hub collaboration launched

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

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.