The conversion of the former Electricity Corporation of New Zealand office block at Otematata into the Lakes Centre community complex is nearing completion, more than two years after the Waitaki District Council bought it for more than $1 million.
The two-storey building had been privately owned after the ECNZ sold it.
The council bought the building and its 1.45ha site in March 2006, intending to turn it into a community centre for Otematata and the Waitaki lakes.
Half the building is being converted into a community centre by the Otematata Residents Association, a shop-cafe has been established, the Otematata Library shifted to the building and other rooms established for organisations and meetings.
A car park with access off State Highway 83 has been sealed and marked and the council has subdivided and sold some of the land to the rear of the building.
The project is being funded by Otematata land and property sales by the council, with the funding for the community centre being raised by the Otematata Residents' Association.
Almost $40,000 is now needed to complete the project, an issue which will be discussed at the Ahuriri Community Board's meeting on Tuesday night.
The council's property administrator, Margaret Hamilton, said the remaining works included lighting for the community centre car park ($12,000), altering the kerb into the car park to cater for towing vehicles ($15,000), removing unstable trees at the rear of the building ($2000) and security lighting on the building ($800).
The work could be funded from the Ahuriri ward reserves account.
