Community centres get much needed makeovers
Renovations to community facilities in the Stratford District have been completed, making much needed improvements to eight community assets in total.
In 2020 Stratford District Council was successful in receiving a Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) investment of $339,190 towards the renovation and refurbishment of the Stratford War Memorial Centre, Centennial Rest Rooms, Hall of Remembrance, Tututawa Hall, Douglas Hall, Kohuratahi Hall, Whangamomona Hall and Makahu Hall.
Improvements across the facilities varied from new heat pumps and roofing to full interior and exterior paint jobs, new flooring and in the case of the Centennial Rest Rooms, a new toilet layout and kitchen.
Chief Executive Sven Hanne says, “The grant was received with gratitude as it allowed Council to remove the cost of important upgrades from ratepayers and hall committees, and produced business for our local tradespeople.”
“These improvements mean we can continue to have well-functioning community centres in our more isolated rural communities and it has provided for more modern facilities across Council’s venues for hire,” he says.
Stratford’s War Memorial Centre (WMC) was completely renovated inside and re-opened to the public last week. The WMC offers the Stratford community and those outside of the district a central and flexible venue. Providing users with appropriate Information Technology (IT) equipment, a commercial kitchen and the choice of three individual hire spaces or the option of hiring the whole venue, fitting up to 1,000 people in the complex.
The Centennial Rest Rooms located on Fenton Street, on the edge of the picturesque King Edward Park, has been given a much needed makeover too. It was completely renovated inside and out with a fresh paint job, as well as a new kitchen, upgraded bathroom facilities with family room, inclusion of a large television for presentations and video-conferencing and the installation of Wi-Fi. The rooms provide a venue to those needing meeting spaces for smaller events, and the public toilets are open from 6am to 6pm daily.
