The Martinborough Star | February 2017 | 7
Stage One given the Council Go-Ahead
After several years of planning and extensive
fundraising, strengthening work on the Town Hall
and construction of the Waihinga Centre has been
given the go ahead by South Wairarapa District
Council (SWDC).
At an Extraordinary Council meeting on the 18th
January, SWDC approved the project funding and
loan arrangements for Stage One of the Waihinga
Centre project. A price of $5.332million was approved
for the project which includes a $200,000 contingency.
The final price included an additional $172,000
towards the town hall strengthening which will see
the building strengthened to 100% of the building
code. A large part of this increase is the result of the
geotechnical analysis requiring deeper foundations
than originally anticipated.
A fixed price contract will be signed with Riggs
Zschokke and work has begun on site. The building
and strengthening work will be overseen by project
manager Dave Borman and the Waihinga Centre
Construction group (a sub-committee of the Steering
Group). A detailed build schedule is being prepared
and it is expected that the work will take in the region
of a year to complete.
With a final design in place and material quantities
known there is now an opportunity for SWDC to
seek additional sponsorship for the project, by way
of gifting and supplier discounts. Rigg Zschokke
has confirmed they will pass on any cost savings that
are achieved.
Max Stevens, chair of the Waihinga Charitable
Trust is extremely pleased that the project has been
approved. “A number of people have worked very
hard to get the project to this point, I would like to
thank them and our amazing donors and fundraising
volunteers for making this new town hub a reality.”
Supporter Profile –
Ruth and Peter Graham
“The Waihinga Centre Project was a great
opportunity for us to support our adopted
community”, says Ruth Graham. “Peter and I have
benefited from the amenities created by people
who came before us. This was our chance to make a
contribution too ”.
Looking for a retirement challenge, the Grahams
were attracted to Martinborough by the opportunity
to develop their own olive grove. They named it
Atutahi - the Maori name for Canopus, an important
navigational star.
Equally important in choosing Martinborough
were the dark, clear night skies. A serious amateur
astronomer, Peter has built his own observatory
on the property and is currently collecting data to
support asteroid research.
Ruth and Peter are looking forward to seeing the
Centre up and running. “It will generate a new
momentum in our village by bringing life to that
side of The Square, and create a vibrant cultural hub
to attract even more events and activities to town”
“
A number of people have
worked very hard to get
the project to this point,
I would like to thank them
and our amazing donors
and fundraising
volunteers for making this
new town hub a reality.
“
Peter and
I have
benefited
from the
amenities
created by
people who
came before
us. This was
our chance
to make a
contribution
too.
”
”
Every Little Helps
The Waihinga Charitable Trust is continuing to
raise funds for the project and has set up a Give a
Little page to make it easy for people to contribute.
All donations will go towards the Waihinga Centre
and Playground. You can donate now at: givealittle.
co.nz/cause/waihingacentre
Thank you to the Martinborough Star and Martinborough
TOP 10 Holiday Park for sponsoring this page.
Martinborough
TOP 10 Holiday Park
Self-Contained Studios,
Cabins and Sites.
Celebrating our
10th year as part of the
Martinborough Community.