Art Centre Building To Be Pulled Down

The Twin Rivers Arts Centre building in Ngaruawahia will be removed in the coming weeks due to the building’s bad state of repair.

Waikato District Council had planned to undertake refurbishment works on the 100 year old building, however due to the state of disrepair plans are now being made to replace the building with a brand new facility.

General manager water and facilities, Richard Bax, said the decision to remove the building had not been taken lightly.

“We have been working closely with the local community and Livingstone Construction to weigh up all our options. In the end removing the building was the only viable option,” he said.

The community now has the opportunity to be involved in the planning and design process for the new purpose built facility.

“There is potential for the new facility to be built in a different location if that better suits the needs of the arts centre and the wider community.

“Once the building is removed the council will consult with the community to see if there is a better location for the arts centre and investigate potential new premises.

“Following this a new building will be designed. This process will take approximately six month to complete,” Mr Bax said.

The cost to build a new facility is expected to cost around $750,000.

In the meantime the Twin Rivers Art Centre has been relocated to another suitable premise until the new building is constructed.

The old building will be removed by Waikato Demolition under the supervision of Livingstone Construction.