Physical work to start next month

An architect's drawing of the Waimate District Community Complex. Image by Waimate District Council.
An architect's drawing of the Waimate District Community Complex. Image by Waimate District Council.
A physical start will be made on Waimate's new multimillion-dollar indoor community and sports complex on August 3 with a ground-breaking ceremony.

After about a decade of debate and different proposals, the new Waimate District Community Complex will rise from the town's old Drill Hall which, 40 years ago, became a sports stadium on the corner of Paul and Wilkin Sts.

The actual total cost of the project is not known because Waimate businessman Gary Rooney is providing funding through his company Rooney Group to increase the size of the complex from one basketball court to two.

However, the Waimate District Council is putting up to $3.8 million into the project, which includes $950,000 to be raised by the community.

About $760,000 has been raised so far.

The first stage of the work is the two sports courts, ablutions, function room, offices, meeting room and the main entrance area.

Stage two would be the demolition of the existing court area, construction of the fitness centre area and ablutions and improvements to the existing squash club social area.

This sequence of events was planned to ensure the least interruption to users of the facility during construction.

Construction could take up to 10 months.

david.bruce@odt.co.nz

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