The council’s Finance and Performance Committee has re-allocated $300,000 towards the future of the whare building at Monte Cecilia Park.
The retention of the whare has been previously identified in the 2007 Monte Cecilia Park Master Plan. The building may present options for community use, functions and educational use for the TSB Bank James Wallace Arts Centre, council staff told the committee.
As part of this master plan, $300,000 was ring-fenced during the 16/17 Annual Plan for the construction of a marquee functions centre for use by the arts trust. The whare building was previously used by Monte Cecilia School as a hall for assemblies – the school was relocated earlier this year as part of plans to expand the neighbouring park.
The Puketāpapa Local Board and representatives of the James Wallace Arts Trust spoke to the committee to seek retention of the building and funding to restore it. Key proposed uses of the whare building included use as a learning centre, community events space and a local archive and reading room.
The Finance and Performance Committee considered whether reallocating the $300,000 to the retention of the whare was appropriate, and whether a public private partnership trust was a possible option to raise funds and oversee restoration works.
Staff from council’s Arts and Culture department noted there had been no assessment of whether there is a need for an additional community facility in the Puketāpapa area.
A needs assessment is one tool the council uses to identify where there may be a shortfall of community space, and how best to provide more space.
A business case had been prepared by the arts trust, with input from the Puketāpapa Local Board, for the redevelopment of the whare. Staff advised the committee that further work would be needed to see the extent of physical works required to restore the building, and determine whether it could perform to the trust’s future needs.
The most considerable risk to the council would be that, as the asset owner, any shortfall in funding would be the council’s responsibility. Revenue from use of the whare may fall short and require ongoing cost top-ups, potentially taking away funding from other more utilised facilities, staff said.
More in-depth information on the whare building, including its history, can be found on the Finance & Performance Committee agenda.
