The ‘Olive Leaf’

Arrowtown is split on this one. Fred, a committed Catholic and a member of the local parish, has offered his services pro bono to design and fundraise for the building of an ultra- modern community centre on church land alongside the 1873 St Patrick’s Catholic church. The architectural model of his proposed community centre, with its olive leaf- shaped roof, sees it built largely underground as if genuflecting beside the church. The profile ensures the historic building’s prominence. “My idea is to make it a venue for community activities for the entire population of Arrowtown and beyond,” says Fred. While he has support, there are some in the parish and wider community who believe that any structure renovated or built anew in Arrowtown must look as if it were built in the 1870s. Fred is fired up about this. “The 2006 and 2016 Arrowtown design guidelines support my concept. Moreover, we should pay homage to our pre- miner cultural heritage too. The design complies with the district plan so there should be no argument about it.” He and his team are currently preparing for resource consent. vanbrandenburg.co.nz