Pokapū ā-Hapori o Ōkahukura / Albany Community Hub is finally in community hands and is being managed by Harbour Sport.
Since its opening in 2017, the hub has helped meet the needs of many Albany locals through a series of programmes and events.
Upper Harbour Local Board Chair Lisa Whyte is delighted with the outcome and that community is at the heart of the hub’s transformation.
“It has always been our goal to see the hub managed by the community for the community, and Harbour Sport is a fantastic partner for us to have. We are excited to see how their expertise will transform the hub into an all-purpose centre that everyone can use and appreciate.
“They will work with our diverse community groups to determine their needs and develop a wide and inclusive range of activities at the hub.”
In December, the local board appointed the Harbour Sport Trust to manage the hub for three years under a community centre management agreement which includes $50,000 allocated to wider community development in Albany along with an operating budget of $18,000 per annum.
Harbour Sport CEO Mike Bishop says Harbour Sport is very excited to take up the management of the Albany Community Hub.
“It is an excellent community facility that we will work to give more visibility to all aspects of our wider community and to showcase what it has to offer.
“Following a recruitment process, Grace Alley has been appointed the new Community Hub Manager and we are confident she will do an excellent job of creating community awareness.”
Alley says, “I am so excited to get into the Albany Community Hub and activate the Upper Harbour local community, as well as meet and create relationships with community members.
“Community engagement is a passion of mine, and I can’t wait to see what we can do with such an amazing facility.”
Ideally situated at Albany Domain, off Albany Highway, the hub has space for a range of activities and can also be hired by community groups, visit albanycommunityhub.co.nz
History of Pokapū ā-Hapori o Ōkahukura / Albany Community Hub
- November 2016 – work starts on a $1.2 million facility, a legacy project from the former North Shore City Council. The new building is connected to the older building via a covered walkway.
- 6 July 2017 – the hub is blessed in the presence of 40 attendees, including local board representatives, kaumatua Otene Reweti and council staff.
- From 2018 to March 2022 – Auckland Council operates the hub as a venue for hire.
- October 2021– calls for expressions of interest go out to the community to manage the hub.
- In April 2022 – Harbour Sport Trust are contracted to manage the hub which includes venue hire, activation, and programming of services for the Upper Harbour community.
