Vintage Car Club worried they may loose clubrooms

Members of a vintage car club are concerned about their future following the discovery of a major archaeological find near their premises on Cliff Rd.

An announcement was made on October 11 by Deputy Mayor Kelvin Clout stating the discovery of nationally significant artefacts on Cliff Rd which, iwi say, has enhanced the case to build the new proposed museum at the site.

The Bay of Plenty Vintage Car Club leases the land at 29 Cliff Rd from Tauranga City Council and secretary of the club Joe Scott said he was concerned the council may be looking into demolishing the building to make way for the new museum.

In 2007, the car club purchased the building from the council and currently leases the land.

Mr Scott said the club had not been consulted about the future of the building and felt "totally ignored".

The retired mechanic said it was the fastest growing car club in New Zealand and had more than 400 members and believed they provided a "community service."

"A hell of a lot of people get pleasure out of the club," he said.

Mr Scott said if the car club did have to vacate the building many people would be upset and members would "kick up a fuss."

A lot of work had gone into the clubrooms including the addition of a library, a spare parts shed and the renovation of the main hall.

Mr Scott said the members of the car club were mostly older and were very passionate about looking after their club.

"We have some people in their 70s up on scaffolds painting and getting stuck in.

"Their whole lives revolve around the club."

Jack Hoven has been a member of the car club since it was founded in 1958.

He said the club was an important part of the community as a lot of other community groups and clubs used the building too, such as the Dutch Club and senior coffee groups.

Heart of the City programme director at Tauranga City Council, Adele Hadfield said the council had a signed lease agreement with the Vintage Car Club.

She said the council met club representatives on September 5, although Mr Scott said the issue of the proposed new museum was not brought up.

Ms Hadfield said the council was developing a business case for cultural facilities to support decision making on investment in a future museum.

"No decisions have been made around location or building," she said.

The proposal for a museum will form part of the Long Term Plan 2018-2028, which will be formally consulted on in April 2018.

Ms Hadfield said the council "will continue to meet with them (car club members) to keep them informed of the situation and potential plans for the future."