Waihinga Centre Project Update – 18 December 2015

South Wairarapa District Council is recommended to Proceed with Stage 1 of the Waihinga Centre

18 December, 2015

On 17 December South Wairarapa District Council (SWDC) held a workshop and reviewed funding sources, identified savings and design aspects with SGL Consulting, the Martinborough Community Centre Steering Group and Quantity Surveyors, Rawlinsons for the Waihinga Centre.  As a result of this workshop, the group have recommended to Council that stage one of the Waihinga Centre project proceed.

SWDC Mayor, Adrienne Staples says that the Council has been able to reduce the costs of the project by $300,000.

“Council has been able to reduce costs in specific areas such as material choice, rationalisation, cladding and professional fees.  These reductions still ensure the refurbishment of the town hall will go ahead and do not  fundamentally change the look of the project, we will continue to investigate ways in which further savings can be made.”

“On top of this, the Martinborough Community Centre Steering Group will increase their fundraising target through a variety of events and initiatives and Council will investigate the option of corporate sponsorship for the project”.

“Council has listened to concerns raised within our community about the possibility of the project running over budget.  To mitigate this, and to offset inflationary pressures, we’ve increased the contingency budget to $670,000, almost doubling the initial figure.”

“We’ve estimated that for every month of delays, we are incurring approximately $10,000 per month in inflation costs.  We’re pleased that this updated information and recommendation that stage one of the project proceed will be considered at the next normal Council meeting in late February.  Subject to the resolution being passed, Council can move ahead with stage one of this project in 2016”.

For more information on the Waihinga Centre project contact themayor@swdc.govt.nz or 06 306 9611.

Background:

South Wairarapa District Council’s mission is to work with and for the South Wairarapa communities to affect the best possible social and economic outcomes which are based on valuing and respecting the people, the land and the resources.

The South Wairarapa District Council is one of three local authorities operating in the Wairarapa.  South Wairarapa follows the coastline from the western end of Palliser Bay to Honeycomb Rock east of Martinborough.  The western  boundary follows the main divide of the Rimutaka and Tararua Ranges to Mount Hector, from which the boundary runs south east across the Wairarapa plain to the coast.

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