Community Halls: Feedback to be sought on Long-term strategy

Community input will be sought to aid the development of a long-term strategy for Rotorua district’s community halls for consideration in the next Long-term Plan.

Elected members received a briefing on community halls last week that included background, the condition of halls, known usage, financial status and current known issues.

Background

Rotorua has 10 halls, in Kaharoa, Ōkāreka, Mamaku, Ngakuru, Ngongotaha, Reporoa, Rerewhakaaitu (2), Waikite Valley and Reporoa, built by the various communities they serve between 1945 and 1980 and vested with council in the mid-1980s.

The halls serve about 9,390 residents in total and are used for social and community activities.

Currently, each hall is overseen by a committee which is responsible for, among others, the following tasks:

• managing bookings and usage;
• reporting to council quarterly on usage and identified issues;
• collecting and depositing booking revenue into council accounts;
• notifying the council of any identified maintenance issues;
• overseeing facility cleaning.

Council uses preferred suppliers to carry out compliance checks and undertake building maintenance and renewals, within the limits of allocated budgets.

Hall assessments

Last year, council conducted initial structural assessments of all community halls, resulting in the interim closure of the Reporoa and Mamaku halls due to identified structural compliance issues. Interim interventions on these two halls are now in progress.

The council is now working on developing a long-term facility management plan for all halls to address required interventions for critical structural elements, such as frames and foundations and other essential internal components, including electrical, plumbing, and painting, to ensure appropriate maintenance of the halls to fit their purpose and usage.

The economic lifespan of a building is approximately 75 years.

Community insights

Feedback from communities to date indicates they highly value their halls as central hubs for social interaction and community activities and want to see better coordination between use and maintenance. The council will continue to gather public input regarding all community halls.

Council will look to go out to communities to seek their feedback on the long-term plan for halls. Input from the public will help to determine the ideal number of halls needed for the district and whether to upgrade, maintain, or replace current facilities.

Along with a wider plan for council properties, this is expected to be completed in time for consideration as part of the council’s 2027-2037 Long-term Plan.