Upgrades for eight rural halls

Eight rural halls in Manawatu District have been targeted for upgrading work in the 2007-08 financial year.

Funding of $38,035 for capital programmes, actions and projects at the halls is contained in the Manawatu District Council’s Annual Plan 2007-08.

Property Officer, Peter Willoughby, said a renewal/maintenance fund for the halls’ interior and exterior assets was in place and reviewed annually and a works programme had been determined for a three-year period.

“Projects are prioritised and based on council’s halls and management matrix and guided by crucial maintenance and health and safety issues and the levels of volunteer support, usage, location and long-term viability of each hall,” he said.

The largest project is exterior painting of the Rangiwahia Hall (pictured), valued at $10,250, followed by $8200 projects at Colyton (main hall interior upgrade) and Himatangi Beach (re-roofing).

Other hall projects approved involve a water tank at Kairanga ($3589), repairs to the west wall at Apiti ($2563), a roof paint at Cheltenham ($2562), hot water cylinder at Awahuri ($1536) and painting maintenance instalments at Mt Biggs ($1135).

A further $37,707 has been set aside for the 2008/09 year, with significant works at Himatangi Beach, Kairanga and Newbury planned.

Mr Willoughby said the council owned 19 halls throughout the district and assisted with nine others.

It also owned and supported the Feilding Civic Centre and the Te Kawau Memorial Recreation Complex.