Pavilion’s future still undecided
The future of the Kerikeri Domain Pavilion remains uncertain with council yet to make a decision on whether it will be demolished or rebuilt.
Since the fire in June 2016, which two 14-year-olds lit, the Far North District Council-owned pavilion has been unusable by the Kerikeri Squash Club, rugby league, a drop-in youth centre and other community groups.
Kerikeri Mako Rugby League Club President Tim O’Leary says they want the pavilion rebuilt.
This year the club were granted use of the toilets and changing rooms, but use beyond this season was not guaranteed, O’Leary says. The club has been offered the use of Bledisloe Park at Haruru, but O’Leary says it is too far for players to travel.
‘‘We’d like it rebuilt, if they choose to demolish it, the community loses a facility.’’
Council spokesperson Jacqui Robson says a meeting with past and present users of the pavilion was held in March.
Since then the development of a Reserve Management Plan was first recommended to the Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board in April 2017, then to council in May and again to council in June.
In a June report by the council’s infrastructure planning manager Ruben Wylie, it was recommended that the pavilion be demolished. However councillors were yet to decide whether it would be demolished or rebuilt.
‘‘Insurers have paid $345,000 in partial settlement and further settlement depends upon a decision about whether to remove or reinstate the Pavilion,’’ Robson says.
The Kerikeri Squash Club has been unable to play in Kerikeri with their two courts suffering considerable damage in the fire. The council has set aside $166,000 for their relocation to the Bay of Islands Sports Complex.
Kerikeri Ratepayers Association spokesperson Jane Johnston says the pavilion could be re-purposed as a multi-use facility, to cater to as many community users as possible.
‘‘We think council’s role is to optimise the use of our existing facilities.
‘‘We do support re-establishing squash facilities but not at the cost of every other current and potential future user of the pavilion.’’
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