Locals are invited to celebrate with community organisations at a family fun day taking place at the Helensville War Memorial Hall on Sunday, 20 October at 1pm.
The facility has reopened after a comprehensive work programme totalling $8.3 million to address weathertightness issues and improve the seismic resilience of the building.
Art Centre Helensville, Kaipara Memorial RSA, Helensville Library and Service Centre, Helensville Plunket Clinic and the Helensville / Waimauku Family Budgeting Service have all moved back into the facility located in the heart of Helensville.
Rodney Local Board Chair Brent Bailey is pleased that the building work is complete, and the facility has reopened after nearly two years of extensive work.
“The facility had been assessed as being earthquake-prone back in 2021 and the hall and the RSA building needed to be strengthened to address the seismic risk.
“Considerable structural upgrades have been undertaken with the piling, roof and walls of the building strengthened. Weathertightness issues have been addressed along with large amounts of asbestos materials that were safely removed during construction. The building’s subfloor also had to be redesigned and rebuilt.
“On behalf of the local board, we are grateful for our community’s understanding and patience during the construction.”
The extensive work will cost approximately $8.3 million and included:
• a new roof, new deck and work spoke areas for the RSA
• new ceilings, wall linings, lighting and electrical installed in the hall and RSA
• new security alarms, fire and access systems in the RSA and hall areas, and fully compliant fire exits
• new wall heaters and refurbished toilets in the hall
• new exterior cladding for several areas, and painting of the interior and exterior of the building
• a new wheelchair accessible ramp to the car park.
Bailey says, “Thankfully all the construction is behind us and with the facility open again, our Helensville community can once again enjoy this important community asset for many years to come.”
Family Fun Day
The free fun day runs from 11am-3pm and takes place in the hall, arts centre and outside in the car park. There’s plenty of activities with bouncy castles, garden games, face painting, kids’ art activities, a sausage sizzle, ice cream, music and a visit from the fire truck.
Arts and crafts activities will be downstairs in the Art Centre with craft badges and paper boat stand linked to the race down Kaipara River at Arts in the Ville.
Pop into the library, grab a book and find out about events, activities, clubs and more - all the fun stuff that happens every day from Monday to Saturday.
The RSA will also be open; drop in and view the refurbished clubrooms, look around the memorabilia in the museum, and the Fern Leaf Restaurant is open from 11am.
Have a chat to the many wonderful people and organisations who call this building home and visit the stalls set up in the hall.
Community organisations
Find out more about the community organisations located at the Helensville War Memorial Hall at 49 Commercial Road, Helensville.
- Art Centre Helensville – visit artcentrehelensville.org.nz or facebook.com/artcentre.helensville
- Helensville Library and Service Centre – visit aucklandlibraries.govt.nz or facebook.com/HelensvilleLibraryAndServiceCentre
- Kaipara Memorial RSA – visit kaipararsa.co.nz
- Helensville Plunket Clinic – visit plunket.org.nz
- Helensville / Waimauku Family Budgeting Service
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