Residents quizzed on hall plans

NEW IDEAS: Plans will be unveiled for the revamp of the Martinborough Town Hall. PHOTO/FILE

Plans for the revamp of Martinborough Town Hall will be revealed next week.

Residents are invited to hear about the plans, see the concept and have their say at a public meeting on April 3.

Architectural and concept plans for the hall and also for a new, adjoined community centre will be unveiled at the meeting, held by the Martinborough Town Hall Working Group and South Wairarapa District Council.

"It's a presentation on the process and how the group got to where they are now," said Julie Riddell, councillor and working group member.

The public launch was a positive step for the project, after about a year of research and planning, she said.

"I believe people will be interested in seeing the new concept plans."

Mrs Riddell said one of the main things in the concept was the incorporation of the Martinborough Library into the site.

Currently housed behind The Village Cafe, it's not in a suitable place, she said.

The library was moved there when its former building was found to be earthquake-prone.

Mrs Riddell said at the beginning of the project, the group realised the hall was not heavily patronised, with only 5000 people using it a year.

"We needed to add much more value to the whole building."

This led to exploring the potential for the library, Plunket, Toy Library and the i-Site visitor information centre to be housed at the town hall site.

She said after the meeting, the group's next step is fundraising.

The council has committed $900,000 for earthquake-strengthening the 102-year-old building but the renovation costs are to be covered by fundraising.

The hall was declared earthquake-prone in 2011 and with public support, the council opted to save it rather than demolish it or build a new hall.

The meeting is at 7pm on Thursday, April 3, at the Town Hall.

Visit for www.facebook.com/MartinboroughTownHall for updates on the project.