Community 50:50 on multi-use facility
An upgrade of Golden Bay’s existing halls and venues is more likely to gain wide community support than a new multi-purpose cultural and recreational facility, a specially commissioned study has found.
Golden Bay Work Centre Trust commissioned Vandeskog Social Research to complete the study, using Lottery Community Facilities Funding (LCFF), to determine if there is a need for a new facility and whether or not this need is widely held. The Tasman District Council has earmarked some funds from its facilities rate in 2012/13 and other funding may be available from LCFF.
The findings of the research were presented to the Golden Bay Community Board on Tuesday. The board resolved to study the report.
The research project involved a workshop and interviews, three surveys of owners and users of existing venues and the public, a snap poll, and an assessment of submissions to council’s long-term plan.
The study found that existing venues do not adequately meet all needs. There are gaps with regards to the provision of a covered swimming pool, a youth service centre and a purpose-built performance venue. Most existing venues also have issues with heating and storage.
Needs for a new i-site, a display area for local art and a new museum are also evident. It is, however, unlikely that a multi-purpose facility would cater for all or most of the identified needs in one building.
The main finding of the study is there is about as much support for as opposition to a new facility. Among the reasons given for not wanting a new facility is that there are already under-utilised venues in Golden Bay.
“It is the frequent users with extensive knowledge of existing venues who are more likely to want a new facility,” says the report. “The findings of this study consequently give no clear mandate whether to proceed with a project to build a new facility or not. A common reason for being against a new facility is that the funding should rather be spent on upgrading existing ones. People in Golden Bay have clearly expressed that existing venues, particularly community halls, are highly valued and any project that would involve upgrading them is likely to receive broad support. It is probable that a renovation/conversion project would gain greater backing than a new building.”
The public survey found that a covered, heated swimming pool is the preferred option if a new facility were to be built. A youth service centre and a performance venue are second and third options.
The research found the idea for a multi-purpose facility had been introduced by people associated with the two major funding sources (Facilities Rate Fund and Lottery Community Facilities Fund), rather than by the community itself.
“It is worth noting that two recent projects to build new facilities in Golden Bay both folded due to difficulties related to “multi-purpose” and the requirement to share ownership and control with other users.”
Multi-purpose use could be achieved through an upgrade of existing buildings and not only through the construction of a new one. There are limited sites in Takaka for a new facility but the central township is the logical location for several requirements – such as the i-site and a youth centre.
The study suggests a co-ordinated approach, using a number of funding sources through forming a network of some existing venues to achieve optimal upgrades and alterations. Any project needs to plan for ongoing funding and management of the new facilities.
More information is available at <gbworkcentre.org.nz>.
Neil Wilson
READER SURVEY
This week’s question:
The facility most needed in Golden Bay is a covered and heated swimming pool.
Options for response: YES, NO
Go to <www.gbweekly.co.nz>.
Comments welcome.
