Future of K¯apiti kiosk uncertain
It has survived arson attacks and policing closures but now a quirky Ka¯ piti building could be in line for the wrecking ball.
The octagon-shaped kiosk at Paraparaumu Beach could be demolished as part of an upgrade of Maclean Park.
Once surrounded by bumper boats and canoes, the kiosk was the focus of a community campaign four years ago that saw Ka¯ piti Coast District Council spend $60,000 on repairs.
Council spokeswoman Alison Law said a decision on whether the pond would be demolished or relocated was hoped to be made by the end of the week. Earlier this month, a press release said the kiosk and pond would be removed by June 2019.
Built in the 1970s, the kiosk began life as a ticket office for the park’s attractions, which included a waterslide, bumper boats and miniature train.
It later became a hub for community police volunteers and, in 2013, when it was tagged for destruction after an arson attack gutted the building, a 2500-strong petition urged the council to repair it.
After the $60,000 revamp, the building reopened in December 2014, and was eventually leased to community groups.
In 2016, the council said the pond surrounding the kiosk would be drained as it used an ‘‘unsustainable’’ amount of water – more than 108,000 litres a day. The council had spent $86,000 over the past two years fixing and maintaining it.
Paraparaumu/Raumati Community board member Bernie Randall wanted to see the building moved.
‘‘I personally believe that the building could be relocated to the northern part of the park, as it is incongruous that one of the commercial operators to Ka¯ piti Island uses an alcove in a nearby cafe as a checkin facility.’’