“The finish line for delivering on our community’s vision for a combined campus of community facilities in the heart of Birkdale is now in sight,” says Kaipātiki Local Board Chairperson Danielle Grant.
Following the purchase of the old St Philips church in 2014, Kaipātiki Local Board pulled together a working group of local residents and community leaders.
This group then led the development of a project master plan that involved incorporating the Birkdale Community House and an early childhood centre into a campus style hub of community facilities.
Stage one work is now completed and was celebrated with a small community event on Saturday 30 September. This stage involved construction of a new car park out front, building a wider entrance way leading to a central plaza, and installation of a new play space.
Stage two will get underway in the New Year and will involve redevelopment of the existing hall. A new kitchen and bathroom will be built, as well as several improvements to the existing hall space.
The local board also intend to start discussions with the community over the development and management of a future community garden and a fruit forest on the site.
