Multi-use facility mooted for house
Anderson House could be set up as the place to be for wine, dessert and theatre, if a multi-use facility proposed by Impact Consulting is given the nod.
Invercargill city councillors will review options at an infrastructure meeting on Monday.
A report from Venture Southland to the committee says the preferred use as a ‘‘multi-use facility’’ would create commercial activities for both locals and visitors.
A cafe, theatre experience, use as an event venue, and an ‘‘Olveston Experience’’ upstairs, would fit the public’s desires for the home, it says.
However, council parks and reserves manager Robin Pagan warned that while the document had many suggestions, the council would have to be ‘‘realistic’’ about what could be done for the house.
He said more investigation needed to be done on whether ’’[the ideas] are possible or not’’.
A report from Pagan, to go to the meeting on Monday, says options for the use of the house were ‘‘endless’’.
‘‘But it is important that we are realistic about the limitations that the structure has and not try and cram everything into the one space.
‘‘We also need to realise that the activities will never fully cover the cost of running the facility but may assist towards this.’’
Pagan said the councillors would be able to discuss on Monday what direction they wanted for the house.
Once the councillors had agreed on their preferred option, there could be some refinements, he said, and the public would then be consulted again.
A document from Venture Southland says Impact Consulting has estimated a $2.2 million capital investment for the house, including $800,000 for earthquake strengthening and $600,000 for fire safety, accessibility, elevator and delayed repairs and maintenance.
The document says a detailed budget would need to be produced in order to fully scope costs.
‘‘It is believed that the costs for the commercial kitchen and establishment of the new tourist facility are both underestimated,’’ it says.
Pagan said he had no idea of the total cost yet.
Depending on the chosen ventures for the house, the overall figure looked as if it would fall less than the predicted $2.2m, he said.
Under the preferred option, ‘‘option two’’, much of the house would be returned to original room uses. The caretaker’s residence would be returned to this use as a small flat.
A 30-seat multipurpose theatre was central to the concept, to encourage returning guests.
The document says a cafe would double as a wine and dessert venue in conjunction with the cinema.
Option two would ‘‘optimise the level of regular use of Anderson Park House by both visitors and locals, while preserving its history and its flexibility as a venue’’, it says.
The option to make the house a multi-use facility is the second of three options in Impact Consulting’s report, and is the preferred option of Venture Southland.
The first option was to upgrade the house, and to encourage community use, but not commercial activity. Option three was to upgrade and give the house a selfsustaining commercial focus, with major features to include a restaurant and high-end bed and breakfast accommodation.