The future of Ardmore Hall and Bell Field are included in consultation on Auckland Council’s Annual Budget.
Franklin Local Board chair Andy Baker says it’s not a question of selling now, but of asking residents for their views on selling assets to reinvest in other local projects.
“Any sale decision would be for the future and would only be one option for funding the costs associated with growth. We want to know if people support selling assets that might not meet community needs so we can use the money on other local projects.
“People will also be able to tell us about the hall and its role in the community because the more we know the better-informed decision-making can be.”
Badly damaged by fire last year, the hall is not one of the board’s most used facilities, and the Counties Manukau Cricket Association and local clubs say neighbouring Bell Field is not fit to cater to growing demand.
Wairoa board representative Angela Fulljames says local people need to have a say.
“Local knowledge is critical, particularly where needs are changing because residents have valuable insights on what facilities they need and where they should be.”
Part of the Annual Budget process involves aspects of decision-making around facilities moving from regional to the local level.
“Decisions around new facilities have been made on a regional basis by the governing body, but we can lead our growth response at a local level if we are proactive,” Baker says.
“The community expects us to provide fit for purpose places, so local responses help inform what options the board has.”
Wairoa representative Malcolm Bell says the board wants to understand if maintaining existing assets is more important to locals than developing or improving other sites.
“We don’t have the money to sustain our community asset portfolio for the sake of it at a time when growth is changing our needs.
“The hall was built in 1899 by locals but isn’t a classified building. Auckland Council has maintained it since amalgamation and while its history is important, the area has changed. Will the hall and field in their current states meet the needs of the area over the next 30 years? We can’t answer that and have no predetermined position.
“Receiving community feedback will be an important part of determining the hall’s future and for prioritising facility investment in the area.”
With other facilities available to meet user needs, council staff say previous regular users have relocated and no enquiries have been made regarding the hall’s ongoing closure.
The board’s online 11 March Wairoa Clinic from 2.30-4pm will focus on the Annual Budget, the hall and field. There is also a Q and A online session via Teams on 14 March from 5-7pm. To register for either email franklinlocalboard@aucklandcouncil.got.nz.
Watch a video here. Submissions can be made online at Auckland Council’s Have Your say page here.
