'Reckless spending' plan riles councillor

Councillor Simon Nixon

Hastings District councillors have voted to support a cash grant and land-swap deal worth close to $2 million aimed at keeping four of the city's service clubs based in the CBD.

The deal remains subject to public consultation and support from the clubs involved - and was strongly opposed by four councillors during a closed-door meeting yesterday.

Councillor Simon Nixon walked out of the public-excluded meeting and three other councillors are understood to have voted against the proposal to grant $1 million towards a $7.8 million facility that would bring the Hastings Combined Clubs (the RSA, the Heretaunga Club and the Hibernian Club) and the National Service Club together in a new building to be built on the National Service Club's Market St site.

If the deal goes ahead the council would also buy a section of land, subject to valuation, in the light industrial area to the east of the city where the Hastings Combined Clubs had planned to build new premises. That land - understood to be worth close to $1 million - would be on-sold or developed to recoup the purchase cost.

The council said the new building "would add to the city's vibrancy by keeping a large pool of people closely connected to the city's hub, and provide a brand new state-of-the-art facility that could be used by a diverse range of community groups".

The four clubs have a combined membership of more than 4700.

The Hastings Combined Clubs has to be out of its building on King St by March 31 next year, when it is due to be taken over by its new owners, and the National Service Club's existing building is "severely earthquake compromised", a situation which prompted the council to initiate discussions on the proposed new facility.

Deputy mayor Cynthia Bowers chaired yesterday's meeting because the mayor was overseas. She said it was important that public feedback was received before the council made a final decision, likely to be by the end of this month.

Mr Nixon said councillors had not been provided enough information to make an informed decision.

"If it was my money I wouldn't be spending it so recklessly."

He said he left the meeting when it became clear the motion would be passed. "It sent the message that my unhappiness was such that I wasn't prepared to continue to take part."

Councillor Wayne Bradshaw said it was not known what economic impact there was in keeping the clubs in the CBD and the move would set a bad precedent.

"My concern is if we're going to offer financial incentivisation to private businesses that have issues with viability and earthquake buildings."

Councillor Jacoby Poulain and councillor Adrienne Pierce also voted against the proposal.

Neil Murphy, of the Hastings Combined Clubs, and Dennis Owen, of the National Service Club, said the council's proposal would be considered by members at special meetings of their clubs on Sunday and Monday.