Town Hall history
Councillor Max Stevens wrote a very passionate article in support of the centre ,published in the local Star newspaper. In this article he quoted some history about the original town hall built 1911/1912.
He failed however to mention that the original design for the building was of grandiose proportions, just like the current design. Some of the local people supported the design, others did not. The original was scaled back to a building of lesser proportion which was then accepted. As there is now a change of funding for this building maybe we should do what our forefathers did ,downsize to what we can afford, correct the division in the town and live within our means. Graham Higginson 84 Dublin St Martinborough 063069467
Graham Higginson
Sorry folks but I disagree.
First, I want to acknowledge all those that have worked hard on the Martinborough Town Hall resurrection. No doubt a lot of time has been spent on getting the project to represent community interests and fund raising to date. However, with the recent suggestion of a rate increase it is time I state my position.
I have been opposed to this project from the start. I feel the architecture of the existing structure is some of the ugliest and least inspiring I have seen, the historical significance is lost on me and my building background suggests bowling it and building new would offer a better result.
I realize a number of people in the local community (people who I respect) support this endeavor and I have remained silent believing if the democratic majority desires to pursue this project than I will not stand in opposition.
Unlike the medical centre, which I did consider a high value project for the community, I do not believe a $6-7 million dollar expense on the Town Hall will yield a commensurate return for all ratepayers. I know it won’t do anything for me personally that will warrant a rate increase. Everything I have ever attended at the existing hall (with the exception of a book sale) I bought tickets for. Having a new building will not alter that.
The public meetings that have been undertaken to date (at least that I am aware of) have all been chaired not by independent unbiased individuals but solely by advocates. It is pointless in a small town to stand at such meetings and swim against the tide, which is one reason I found the public consultation less than neutral.
The original proposal to strengthen the building for $900,000 seemed ridiculous to me but affordable. The result of an extensive consultation process has resulted in trying to produce something for everyone across all demographics and perhaps for good reason, but the price tag reflects it.
The current proposal includes a library, plunket rooms, a theater, and exhibition centre, meeting rooms, playground enhancements, a toy library and even a bus stop. Although all those elements are wonderful, spending the money to put a modern face on the town or create a more family-friendly environment is nonsense. People have been moving here steadily for the past 15 years for those very qualities without a majestic sprawling town hall.
While we could debate a number of the assumptions in the consultants’ projections let’s just agree there are few building projects delivered on time and on budget. The project has already escalated from $900,000 to $6.4 million dollars and we don’t even have detailed designs or firm construction costs indicating it could go even higher.
There is a precedent in the country for councils that have debt financed expensive projects with dire consequences. If we must do this project, how about we just do what we can afford and leave the balance for another day? Let’s take on the challenge of completing the minimum base line work and leave the ratepayers alone. If we must dream big, which is fine, let’s put more emphasis on creative funding options so outliers and opponents are not unnecessarily burdened.
Personally I believe ratepayers would benefit more by investing in a water supply with lower fees, waste water treatment to keep the river clean and allow for expansion, deleting tip fees for residents to encourage better waste management, lowering the cost for and improving the cumbersome consent process and improving the roads. These are the basic services that councils are mandated to provide. Improvements in those areas would undeniably benefit all ratepayers more than creating a very expensive monument.
Respectfully,
Stephen Church
Definitely in favour
I am writing in support of the Community Centre project and the proposed targeted rate on existing ratepayers. Martinborough has come a long way since John Martin first laid out the streets around the central square.
The proposed new centre will create an opportunity to consolidate the town’s recent growth and provide a facility that will house essential community services.
The destination playground, event support spaces and improved information centre will help diversify our tourism offering which can only be beneficial to the town from an economic and employment perspective.
An enormous amount of work has gone into getting the project to this stage by a group of dedicated volunteers who can see the benefit that such a project would have for existing residents and generations to come.
The generous donations received to date reveals a wide reaching level of support for the project. I have no doubt that the small but vocal group opposing the project will in time realise that the new centre is worth every cent of a small targeted rate required to get the project over the line.
Regards,
Tim Martin
Three reasons why I support the Waihinga project
I fear that Martinborough will lose its Town Hall, just as it lost the Cuisine School, if we don’t press on with the only viable proposal on the table at the moment. Timing is everything. If something is not done soon the Town Hall will be closed to all, for safety reasons.
It’s a brilliant concept having the Library, Toy Library, Information Centre, Plunket, and community meeting rooms right next to the children’s playground. The medical Centre and museum sited there as well is a bonus.
The team who have volunteered their time over the last 5 years to put together the proposal as it is today, have presented the town with an extraordinary opportunity. The ratepayers in the Martinborough catchment only have to stump up $15 a quarter to have it all. The balance of the costs are coming from gifts, grants, fund raising and the re-allocation of existing council assets, expenses and previously agreed commitments.
If there are enough voices and votes against it we will lose all but $900,000 of the funding, which won’t be enough to strengthen, refurbish or rebuild anything. Plus we lose a committed team of honest people who – like the rest of us – only have the interests of our community at heart. What you will get however, is a hole in the ground.
Vote and voice your support for the project as I am doing now, and we will end up with a refurbished and structurally sound Town Hall, and a modern community facility.
Graeme Thomson
Just because we’re a small town doesn’t mean we can’t think big.
Waihinga Centre will benefit tourism and improve community service delivery
Ten years ago we were embroiled in High Court action which attempted to overthrow our lease and stop the redevelopment of the old Council camp into a Holiday Park. People don’t like change. Our guests now contribute an estimated $1.5m to the local economy every year.
Tourism is incredibly important to the Martinborough economy, the majority of our international visitors are here for our unique Wine Village, but there is only so often we can expect Wellingtonians to flock to our town to taste wine. Events are a key driver of domestic tourism and the refurbished town hall and the outdoor event space will contribute greatly to the mix.
As a TOP 10 holiday park we are working hard to pitch Martinborough as a family destination, we’re excited by the opportunity offered by the new playground to develop this market. We support the Waihinga Centre project for the economic benefits it offers to Martinborough and the surrounding areas but also for the vastly improved delivery of essential services such as the library and Plunket.
Just because we’re a small town doesn’t mean we can’t think big. Our community, young and old, will benefit hugely from the space and services offered by this project. We are happy to contribute and will match the proposed targeted rate with an equal pledge to the project if it goes ahead. We’re ambitious for the future of Martinborough and clearly so are the 200 plus private donors who have pledged $1.4m to the project to date.
Frank & Lisa Cornelissen
Martinborough TOP 10 Holiday Park
