Extension creating increased inquiries for hall

Demand for the Lake Hawea Community Centre as a function venue is growing, thanks to a major extension, which is scheduled to be completed in February.

The $1.5 million redevelopment of the centre - the hub of the growing Lake Hawea community - was progressing well, building committee treasurer Peter Hook told the Otago Daily Times yesterday.

While construction was about a week behind schedule because of the number of wet weather days during the past few months, the main contractor, Breen Construction Co Ltd, anticipated "catching that up" once the roof went on in the next next couple of weeks, Mr Hook said.

The centre was built at Peter Fraser Park in 1991 and extended in 1997 with the addition of a library and meeting room. Work began on the latest expansion in June, after several years of planning and fundraising by the centre's management committee.

The project will double the size of the centre, adding a new community hall which will hold more than 300 people, a smaller multi-function space, and a commercial kitchen and bar. This week, the library will be relocated into the former community hall at the other end of the complex. The new-look larger library will operate in its new space from next week.

Building committee secretary Linda Osborne said bookings and inquiries for weddings and other events at the hall had increased noticeably, as people realised what the redeveloped facility would offer.

The project has a combination of funding sources, including nearly $100,000 raised by the centre's committee and a $700,000 grant from major supporter the Central Lakes Trust.

Fundraising efforts are ongoing for furnishings, landscaping and car parking.

lucy.ibbotson@odt.co.nz