Greytown hall plan back on track

THE committee behind the controversial proposal to refurbish Greytown's town hall and move the library into it is pressing ahead with the project despite trenchant opposition.
Chairman and former South Wairarapa deputy mayor Mike Gray said today a milestone has been reached in that the architects have now presented revised plans for the old hall's reconstruction.
He said a lot of hard work has gone in since the last public meeting held in the hall in July and that his committee has listened to the concerns raised at that meeting.
The architects had taken the points raised at the meeting on-board and had "altered the plans accordingly".
Mr Gray said a wheelchair ramp has been drawn in, allowing easier access to the Library Control Area, situated on the existing town hall stage, rooms have been rearranged to improve security and changes made on the McMaster Street side of the building to allow for more natural light and heat.
Mr Gray said he thought that when the people of Greytown see the revised plans they will be "very impressed".
Working drawings are being prepared and should be finished in the New Year.
Mr Gray said a newsletter showing the changes, including a simplified version of the drawings, will be mailed to Greytown residents before Christmas.
When that has been done fundraising would start in earnest.
The remodelling of the hall is expected to cost $1.5 million and so far has the financial backing of a start-up grant of $500,000 from South Wairarapa District Council and pledges from the Greytown Heritage Trust and South Wairarapa Rotary Club.
Mr Gray said the timing of the project depends on when tenders can be called but it is hoped work can start in early 2006.
Meanwhile, opposition to the shifting of the Greytown Library from its existing heritage building further south on Main Street has not dissipated.
Opponents of the shift are rallying their forces for another attempt to block it and are expected to front up at a South Wairarapa District Council meeting to formally present a petition to councillors.
This was circulated in Greytown earlier this year and gathered several hundred signatures.
While Greytown ward councillors Steve Davis, Kevin Lyford and Viv Napier all back the library shift and hall upgrade, it is known that some councillors from the other towns have misgivings about continued council support.