$6 million dream project proposed for Warkworth riverbank site

This model of the proposed Warkworth community centre shows what architect Kerry Avery describes as the superb riverside site. Picture / Fotopress

Promoters of a $6 million community centre for Warkworth are seeking residents' backing for a new proposal and a special rate to pay for it.

A new centre had been a dream of the town for 20 years, said project advisory committee chairman Vic Shankland.

He was confident that the riverbank building would win favour as offering the cultural, social and tourism focal point that was lacking in the fast-growing town and nearby beach communities of Omaha and Snells Beach and the Matakana crafts and vineyard area.

The town now uses the century-old Masonic Hall, which cannot cope with booking demands and needs expensive restoration.

New building plans offered a way to integrate the old hall so it could continue in community use, said Mr Shankland.

An auditorium-theatre seating 400, a lounge seating 250 and space for smaller meetings and exhibitions is proposed.

The committee business plan says hire charges should have the centre paying its own way within a year or two and becoming profitable.

Suggestions for raising the money to build the centre include a Rodney District Council rural and townships rate, a special rate on households within the centre's area of benefit, tapping into developers levies to the council, and community fundraising.

Any rate struck to pay a loan on the community centre could range from $16 to $20 a property a year, depending on benefit.

Residents' views will guide the committee's formal request for council help in next year's annual budget round.

Architect Kerry Avery said the design took advantage of a superb riverbank site and was sympathetic to Warkworth as a colonial town of two-storeyed buildings.

A model of the proposed building will be on show in the council offices in Warkworth from 9am to 5pm daily over the holidays.