Waihinga Centre
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Waihinga Centre to Open Early December
A sea of activity around the Waihinga Centre continues as Opening Day draws closer.
Outside, workmen are feverishly filling in the block work around the terraces and exterior fencing has been erected. Inside the Town Hall the wooden floors have been sanded and painting is underway.
The old canopies to fit over the main front doors are being newly painted and reinstated. In the new building carpet and vinyl have been laid, the joinery has been installed and is just waiting for the stone counter tops to arrive. Outside the cedar screens to cover the Rodeca panels will provide the finishing touch to the front façade.
With numerous details to attend to such as; lighting compliance with dark sky requirements, sign off for code of compliance for public use, compliance for fire protection, security alarms, signage, café furniture, air conditioning and plumbing the contractors are scurrying to meet their deadlines.
Moving Day is scheduled to begin around the 15th November when The Library, I Site, Plunket and Toy Library will begin the move from their present surroundings to the new location.
Stage One is finally coming to a close.
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Many generous individuals, groups and funding bodies have helped raise the money to strengthen and upgrade the old Town Hall, build the Waihinga Centre, and create a new playground and park. Support has also come in other important ways and we want to acknowledge some of these here.
Thanks to Toast Martinborough, who are paying for the necessary furnishings, we will now have a Wine and Food Library in the Waihinga Centre. It will be dedicated to Richard Riddiford who was the driving force behind the founding of Toast in 1992 (just one of his many significant contributions to Martinborough). “Without Richard, Toast Martinborough wouldn’t exist“, says Roger Parkinson, the current Chair. As the library collection develops it will become an important resource both locally and beyond.
Local glass artists Jim Dennison and Leanne Williams of Crystal Chain Gang have generously gifted one of their Feather Drop chandeliers for the foyer of the Town Hall. Their work has been internationally recognised so we are thrilled to have an example of it in our new space. The picture shows how stunning this design can be. We are starting with a more modest version but it can be added to in the future as funding allows.
The entrance of the Town Hall will feature the work of another local artist, Ben Masters of Paperhands He and Helen are gifting wallpaper designed and handmade by Ben at his workshop on Jellicoe Street. The heritage design will enhance the character of the building.
We also have two benefactors who wish to remain anonymous but who have made significant gifts to help complete the furnishing of the Town Hall. One gift is for the six main LED ceiling lights that will be crucial in creating an attractive ambience. The other donor is providing all the curtaining in the main hall and supper room. Those who have ever had curtains made will appreciate the value of this gift!
Local company, Perception Planning, undertook the resource consent work at a significant discount and Gawith Burridge helped with the legal paperwork in setting up the trust so that we could manage the donated funds.
Powerco has also been a generous corporate citizen. As a consequence the village will now have an electric barbecue for public use in the remodelled park next to the centre, as well as some outdoor furniture to go with it. Roll on summer!
By the beginning of December the thousands, of different elements involved in this project will finally come together. The opening in December will be the culmination of a huge effort by the many people who have worked on and worked for this project. It will be a proud day for the Martinborough.
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Thank You to our Waihinga Park and Playground Supporters
Stage 2 fundraising is in full swing, thank you to all of our supporters so far.
A Bisley & L Wevers, N Bomann, J & A Brodie, L & F Cornelissen, H & B Cox, L Daly, C & M De Groot, Down to Earth Gardening Group, Eastern and Central Trust, Foley Family Wines – TK Farmers’ Market, 4WD Fundraiser, R & L Griffiths, M&S Guscott, B & B Hancox, M&D Hill, Kebbell Family, D Kershaw, H Kershaw, H Kirk, J & P Kirkup, D & J Maloney, Margrain / Thom Family, J Martin, L Martin, Martinborough Community Board, Martinborough Lionesses & Martinborough Community Board Bike Stand Project, Martinborough Lions, Mitre 10, Neighbourhood Coffee, Pain Estate, Palliser Estate, Kate Paterson and Matt Gloag, B Pearce, W Pearce, Powerco, Milly, George & Buster Richards, A Sears & D Woodham, South Wairarapa Rotary, S Stephen, M & N Thomas, Wairarapa Building Society, J Wilkie.
We have many other smaller and anonymous donors too who we would also like to thank.
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