Pavilion past, present and future
From athletics and football to mahjong and library services - the new community pavilion at Western Avenue is shaping up to be the heart of sporting and social life in Ōmokoroa.
Members and supporters of Ōmokoroa Sports & Recreation Society Incorporated and representatives of a significant funder TECT took a walk through the ‘almost ready’ building last month, to see how much progress has been made on construction since the end of lockdown. Mayor Garry Webber says the impressive space is testament to the hard work of many volunteers over the past decade - and Council will continue to invest.
“We will build a new library wherever the town centre lands. This is an interim measure as we grow from two to twelve thousand people. We’re currently at four to five thousand.
“Eventually this library here will be a continuation of the pavilion, and it’s the tenacity of volunteers in this community which gets projects like this done,” says Garry.
Following a Council resolution on Tuesday 21st July, the Ōmokoroa Community Board is to consider whether it supports the purchase of the old pavilion building for $1, for it to be relocated and refurbished for use by arts groups, a youth centre and men’s shed. The Council recommendation is conditional upon funding approval from the Community Board at its meeting on Tuesday 11th August, 7pm at the Ōmokoroa Community Church.
Community groups have been advocating for additional community building space in Ōmokoroa to cater for growing demand. The community is also seeking to retain the McDonnell Street building currently used as the library.
The current library was due to be sold to help pay for the new library at the pavilion. Still, the retention of the old library may be possible if the Ōmokoroa Town Centre Fund money is used as an interim measure until the long-term town centre is developed.
OSRS chair Rick Gerrish says the construction crew have been very accommodating and very quick. “They’ve got in there post-lockdown and smashed it out. We’re delighted to be on schedule, hoping for the end of August. Things couldn’t have gone any smoother.
“Looking around, it’s just painting, gib stopping, floor coverings and so on. We are continuing to raise funds for the internal fixtures and fittings,” Rick says.
Dennis Cresswell of builders Watts & Hughes says an unexpectedly large amount of soft topsoil which didn’t show up in the GeoTech report cost $40,000 to remedy which was found through contingency budgeting, and adjustments to canopy and joinery designs.
As OSRS treasurer, Dennis pays tribute to former committee chair Tim Maurice.
“Without his momentum, we would still be sitting around talking about it. He was an instrumental person in kicking this off,” says Dennis.
Mayor Webber also paid tribute to two community stalwarts - boxing coach Peter Rae, and Glenn Whittaker of the Community Board - for their tireless advocacy in the past.
Committee member Vicki Knell says she can't wait for the pavilion to open. “It’s a fantastic facility for the community, by the community, in partnership with Council,” Vicki says.
OSRS secretary Andrea Willoughby says donations of $50-$499 would be classed as Bronze Sponsors, $500$999 as Silver Sponsors, and over $1000 as Gold Sponsors.
“Sponsors will be recognised on a board displayed in the new pavilion. All groups and individuals who have donated to date will be included.
“Donations can be made by a deposit directly into the SBS Bank account 03-1369-0212729-00. Ensure you put your name and ‘donation’ in the reference sections. Donations are tax-deductible as we are a registered charity,” says Andrea.