Consultation planned on building idea
A PROPOSAL for Alexandra Community House to further utilise the St Enoch’s church lounge and construct an extension between the lounge and community house has been floated, but much discussion will take place before any decisions are made.
The Rev Andrew Howley, of the AlexandraClydeLauder Union Parish, said the parish had been approached by community house about the idea and it would be discussed by the local congregation and the Presbyterian Synod of Otago and Southland.
He thought it was a good idea, but said it was vital to get the views of the church community, and it could take a year for consultation to take place and any decisions to be made.
‘‘Things are at an incredibly early stage. It’s a big conversation to have.’’
The proposal is for community house to further utilise the church’s lounge space for community house users, and construct an extension between community house and the church lounge.
Mr Howley said St Enoch’s and community house had an excellent relationship, and community house already sometimes hired the church lounge. Formalising and extending that arrangement would provide further income for the church to protect its buildings, he said.
Community house manager Carole Gillions confirmed the idea was in its infancy and other ideas were also being considered by community house to find extra space, although she preferred not to say what they were.
Community house had extremely high usage and ‘‘more capacity’’ was needed for permanent, parttime and casual tenants, Ms Gillions said.
At present 16 organisations are permanent tenants in rooms in community house. There are another 20 parttime tenants who share rooms, and about 160 casual users.
A working party of church and community house representatives would be formed in about a month to start discussing options, Mr Howley said.
pam.jones@odt.co.nz