Bunnythorpe’s hall ready for people
After 13 years of waiting, the Palmerston North village of Bunnythorpe finally has its own community centre ready to host gatherings.
But Covid-19 restrictions have already seen its official opening postponed and one of its first bookings cancelled.
Bunnythorpe’s old public hall was demolished in 2008 because it was in such a poor state of repair, and the community has been fundraising and making deputations to the city council for a replacement ever since.
It was only in the last year that the council agreed to underwrite the project to the tune of $107,000 and community funders came on board to bring the total $1.64 million investment to fruition.
Bunnythorpe Community Centre Association chairwoman Anne Russell said it had been a long journey.
The completed centre had been blessed in October, and Maycroft contractors handed the site back to the council a week ago.
But there was no official public opening ceremony, thanks to Covid-19 alert level 2 rules restricting numbers at indoor gatherings.
A couple of open sessions for people to come and have a look at the facilities had been poorly attended because of bad weather and a power cut.
The centre will be big enough to accommodate 100 people, as Covid-19 rules relax.
Russell said bookings were starting to flow in for yoga and a play group and a family gathering.
A large Lions meeting last weekend was called off out of caution because there were participants supposed to be coming from Taranaki, where Covid-19 had emerged in Stratford.
‘‘It was the right decision,’’ said Russell.
She said most people were excited to see the facility they had lobbied for over such a long time finally completed.
The centre includes a 168-square-metre meeting room with capacity for an add-on, a kitchen, and changing rooms that can be accessed separately from the rugby grounds.
Russell said there was still some fundraising to do, to help with technical equipment and other finishing touches.
Mayor Grant Smith said he hoped the centre would play a pivotal role in bringing people together and building an even stronger community.
‘‘We know Bunnythorpe residents value their rural/semirural lifestyle and believe that a place dedicated to community activities will increase the connectedness of their neighbourhood.’’