Possible multi-purpose facility gets feasibility study
Social researchers Bjarne and Abbi Vandeskog
The development of a centralised, multi-purpose community facility for Golden Bay took a preliminary step forward last week with the launch of a feasibility study.
Representatives of various community groups attended a preliminary workshop organised by Abbi and Bjarne Vandeskog of Vandeskog Social Research to begin to find out what kinds of needs have been expressed by groups wanting a possible community venue.
"The Golden Bay Work Centre Trust secured funding from the Lotteries Board to conduct a feasibility study," said researcher Bjarne Vandeskog. "We're aware that discussions have been taking place in Golden Bay about a facility. The drama society has investigated an improved performance venue, the Arts Council and the Promotions Association had a discussion about a gallery space and enhanced visitors' centre, and the Community Workers have been seeking a facility for youth and for the provision of a range of social services. Last Friday's workshop was designed to get important stakeholders together and learn the background to these discussions."
Representatives of Onetahua Marae, the arts council, the community board, the community workers, the Tasman District Council and the workcentre attended the workshop.
Bjarne said that it was clear that none of the groups seeking a facility had been able to progress things far enough so that something could actually be built. "The purpose of our study is to provide the decision-makers of the future with the information they need to be able to decide whether the needs of the various groups can be met by building something. Not all of the expressed needs are necessarily compatible. We've also been asked to provide an overview of the possible benefits of a facility."
Bjarne and Abbi will now conduct one-on-one interviews with the representatives of the major stakeholders, including some of the people who were at the workshop, and some others. "We need to find out the present usage of existing facilities like community halls," said Bjarne. "Then, when we have developed our knowledge, we'll send out a survey to the general public of Golden Bay to get the whole range of views."
The Lotteries Board requires a feasibility study to be undertaken into any project that costs more than $50,000 and that may be the subject of a request to the board for funding assistance.
Bjarne explained that the TDC's Long-Term Community Council Plan has earmarked funding from the community facilities rate for the provision of some sort of facility in Golden Bay in the 2013-14 year. "That means 80 per cent of the funding could already be in place, leaving the community to come up with the remaining 20 per cent," he said.
The entire feasibility study, including the public survey and the researchers' report, will be finished by the end of May, when it will be submitted to the Golden Bay Workcentre Trust, who commissioned it.
Neil Wilson
