Board approves new $5.4m hall design

The cost of redeveloping the Cromwell Memorial Hall is estimated at $5.4million. Photo from ODT...
The cost of redeveloping the Cromwell Memorial Hall is estimated at $5.4million. Photo from ODT Files.

The Cromwell Memorial Hall redevelopment cost has reached $5.4million and the community board is chipping in for half.

At a Cromwell Community Board meeting yesterday, it approved the new detailed design of the hall.

The previous estimate for the project was $4.4 million, with the expectation this would rise, as certain costs were not included at that time.

The new cost estimate is $5 million plus or minus 10%, which includes the addition of stage curtains and furniture and fittings, and construction costs.

This comes to $5.4 million when building consents and other fees are added.

The board approved up to an extra $500,000, to be funded from land sales, to cover half of the project.

This will come from the $3 million it set aside for the project in its last annual plan.

The design includes a schist and polished concrete exterior and capacity for 285 seats, including 145 retractable ones.

Project architect Ann O'Meagher said it satisfied all building codes and included access ramps.

Furniture had been selected for all rooms in the building, she said.

Central Otago District Council property and facilities officer Christina Martin said the new design included the option of putting heat pumps in the supper room for summer air conditioning, which would mean the removal of radiators.

Central Otago Mayor Tony Lepper said it was important to consult groups in the community to make sure specifics of the design met their needs.

"Have you created a working party to make sure groups who use that hall get what they want? The best time to do that is early.''

Board deputy chairwoman Helen Hucklebridge said there was a lot of consultation with the community about the project.

Council properties and facilities manager Mike Kerr said it consulted the theatre industry about requirements for productions.

The other half of the cost will be sought from outside funding sources such as the Central Lakes Trust.

The board contributing half made it easier to find outside funding, especially for a project of this size, Mr Kerr said.

The plan was to have contracts signed in December and for construction to begin about two or three months later, he said.

The board agreed to applications being sent to outside funding sources.

It also approved that tenders for construction be invited after the funding is secured.

jono.edwards@odt.co.nz

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