Council will remove rooms

A ‘‘facelift’’ of the Tokoroa Memorial Sportsgrounds will see a number of buildings removed -a project that has upset some clubroom users.

The decision, made in January by the South Waikato District Council, was named the ‘‘ total building rationalisation exercise’’.

The two announcer’s boxes around the oval and the St John building will be removed by the end of June while the Tokoroa Highland Pipeband and the A-frame will go at the end of the year.

A survey conducted by the SGL group in 2010 found some of the the buildings were disused and required significant maintenance, according to the council.

Tokoroa High School Old Boys clubroom is currently in limbo with no finalised date of removal.

Secretary treasurer of the Old Boys club committee, Gaynor Ngapo, wanted more answers from the council.

‘‘I don’t know why they seem to think it’s [Old Boys] derelict and not used.’’

She said the clubroom was booked most weekends of the month from a variety of community groups and often in conjunction with the marae across the road.

‘‘We have a lot of non-profit groups that use it for different things.

I think if they get rid of these buildings in Tokoroa, there’s going to be a problem.’’

Ngapo was concerned for the future of the building and groups that use it.

‘‘You just don’t know what might happen, it’s a bit of worry isn’t it.’’

Tokoroa East Bowling Club is also on the chopping block.

It is currently being used by Love Soup and founder of the group Julie King was disappointed with the decision.

‘‘The place gets used seven days a week from us, to a grandparents’ group, to kids’ club and private functions.’’

‘‘ People always say ‘ there’s a special feeling in here’ when they enter.’’

Despite that, King said she had come to terms with it and was willing to move on in collaboration with the council.

And an alternative venue has been chosen.

Chief executive Craig Hobbs said the aim was to open up access to the Sports and Events Centre as well as beautify the grounds.

‘‘We get so much criticism about the way the town looks, it looks tired, it looks old, the buildings are derelict ... this is an opportunity to enhance the town entry.’’

Hobbs said the council was working with user groups on the process.

‘‘Council looks forward to working with the various relevant groups and is keen to support partnerships and synergies that can be achieved.

‘‘Collaboration will certainly play a key role in giving the Tokoroa Memorial Sportsground surrounds a facelift.’’