Grandstand work uncovers budget shortfall

More rotten timber than anticipated, along with the need for a full reconstruction of the foundations, and other out-of-scope costs and expenses, have added $195,000 to the budgeted price tag for the restoration of the historic Golden Bay grandstand.

Tasman District Council elected members are due to consider the shortfall at a meeting tomorrow, as well as how to fund another estimated $300,000 to upgrade the parking for the Golden Bay Recreation Park facilities, including the recreation centre, which sits next to the grandstand.

The recommendation from staff is that the council fund an additional loan of $195,000 for the grandstand project shortfall from the district facilities rate, which is a fixed amount for each rating unit across Tasman District. Other options are the Golden Bay Community Board rate or the general rate.

To pay for the parking upgrade, staff recommend that the Golden Bay Ward Reserve Financial Contributions Fund be used. It is proposed that feedback from the Golden Bay Community Board and Golden Bay Recreation Park Committee be sought, with a final decision on the parking project likely in June.

Restoration work on the grandstand started in late 2021. A staff report for tomorrow’s council meeting says the original cost estimate was based on a visual assessment of the building. This assessment concluded that 25% of the existing structural timber would need replacement, and repairs to the foundations would be required.

‘‘As work has proceeded, it became very clear that the condition of the existing structure was far worse than anticipated,’’ the staff report says. ‘‘Works additional to the cost estimate include: replacement of approximately 97% of the structural timber, full reconstruction of the foundations, removal of residual asbestos, and accommodation for the builders.’’

Engineers also identified that the roof would require ‘‘significant repairs’’ and repainting within five to seven years. That additional work, estimated to cost $15,000, would be more costeffective if done now, the report says.

At its meeting in September 2021, the council resolved to commit additional funding of $262,000 to the grandstand project. This was unspent funding from the recreation centre build.

As at April 30, the restoration was about 65% complete and due to be finished by the end of August.