The Warkworth Town Hall Restoration Trust has raised $425,000 for the historic hall’s restoration. The 106-year-old hall re-opened to the public last year after a two-and-half-year upgrade.
In December 2015, the trust signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to raise $675,000 for the restoration which was underwritten by Rodney Local Board. The local board has waived the remaining $250,000 releasing the trust from its obligation and ending the MOU.
Rodney Local Board Chair Beth Houlbrooke thanks the trust for their hard work and dedication which raised 63 per cent of what was owed.
“Members of the trust and the fundraising committee worked relentlessly over several years to restore the old town hall and their hard work and efforts have certainly paid off."
Newly elected trust chairperson Peter Henderson says the trustees are very grateful to the local board for their support, understanding and for waiving the outstanding debt.
“The trust and fundraising team worked tirelessly during the restoration period to attempt to raise the required underwritten funds but there were numerous challenges, including competition for funds from other worthy projects.
“The trust is now excited to be entering a new phase with the addition of several new members. We are about to purchase flexi-staging for the hall with the assistance of a grant from the Sir John Logan Campbell Residuary Estate and a contribution from the Warkworth Theatre Group.
“We can now concentrate our efforts on purchasing other necessary assets for the town hall.”
The $5.6 million cost of the restoration project was covered by Auckland Council, Rodney Local Board, a Lotteries Commission grant, the Warkworth Town Hall Restoration Trust (WTHRT), the WTHRT fundraising committee and Watercare.
