Point Wells Hall is back in community hands.
It is the second hall to operate under a community-led incorporation model in Rodney and will be managed by a sub-committee of the Point Wells Community and Ratepayers Association.
Hall committee chair Laurence Eyres says it’s a significant event in the hall’s history.
“It has taken time to decide on the best way to manage the hall but this option looks to the future as we continue the partnerships already established within our community.
“The new arrangement lets us handle bookings, set hire fees, and sort out cleaning and minor maintenance while the council remains responsible for capital expenditure and major maintenance.
“New people are moving into the village all the time and the demand for community activities, especially for toddlers and young people, will continue to grow. Our hall is ideally placed to meet that need.”
Rodney Local Board Chair Beth Houlbrooke says the new structure builds on the community’s connection with the hall. “We are keen to support communities that want to manage and operate their halls themselves. It’s an ideal situation when a community decides what is best for its hall.”
The licence term is for three years and includes the volunteer library in the hall. The hall committee is also the advisory group for Point Wells Reserve.
Anyone interested in hiring the hall should contact Ellie Greer on 027 478 8688.
To find out more about managing and operating your local council hall contact Jo Heaven, Rural Hall Advisor at jo.heaven@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
History of Point Wells Hall
- 1946 – Mr J. Wells gives 1.25 acres of land to the community for recreational purposes
- 1956 – volunteers build the hall
- Late 1950s – a small lending library is established in a corner of the hall using books donated by residents
- 1979 – residents add an extension to accommodate the library
- 2008 – after many years of locals running the hall, it is handed over to Rodney District Council
- 2010 – at amalgamation, the hall passes to Auckland Council.
