Omakau Hub project on a $1.2 million mission in 2024
The working group behind the Omakau Hub, a project that brings together the aspirations of a community under one roof, is on a mission to raise the last $1.2 million towards establishing the $5.2 million facility in Omakau in the next year.
In a report to the Central Otago District Council last week (Wednesday 13 December), Property Officer Tara Bates gave an update on how the project was progressing, with input from the Manuherekia Valleys Community Trust (MVCT) chair Andrew Paterson.
Consulted on in the Long-term Plan 2021/31, the MVCT was granted $1 million by Council towards building a community hub to replace the existing rugby club rooms and Omakau hall and establish several community organisations and sporting groups within the hub. The Trust has so far raised $1.7 million and has indicative support from external funders such as Central Lakes Trust, Otago Community Trust and Lottery Grants Board for about $2.3 million.
However, the Trust would still need to raise about $1.2 million in the next year or so, based on the building quotes gathered so far.
“These are pretty big dollars to find,” Mr Paterson said, “but there is a real need.”
He said the last funding push of between $500,000 and $1,000,000 would come through fundraising projects such as the upcoming golf tournament (28 December at Omakau Golf Club), an event at the old hall “as a last hoorah” planned for next year, and the remainder through sponsorship and naming rights.
The Trust was still working towards refining the design to reduce costs and developing a funding strategy, with the aim of starting construction in the first quarter of 2025. It would continue to proceed with funding applications to external funders and report back to the Vincent Community Board with a funding strategy for approval.
Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan congratulated Mr Paterson and the Trust for taking on a big project.
At the November Council meeting, the reserve management plan for four Omakau/Ophir reserves, including the reserve that the hub will be established on, was adopted.
CODC Parks Officer Maria Burnett said that having a reserve management plan provided certainty around decision-making for the four reserves (Omākau Recreation Reserve, Wilson Street Reserve, Ophir Recreation Reserve and Ophir Ice Rink Reserve).
A crucial outcome from the public consultation meant that the Omakau Community Hub could be established on the reserve. The management plan allows for the existing rugby clubrooms and camp kitchen to be decommissioned, with the clubrooms to be housed in the new hub, and a new camping ground kitchen to be constructed next to the existing ablution blocks. The playground may be relocated to the location of the existing clubrooms.
A summary of submissions can be found in the report in https://centralotago.infocouncil.biz/ and on the Council’s consultation platform: Omakau and Ophir Draft Reserve Management Plan | Let’s Talk Central Otago (codc.govt.nz):
Pictured, the Hub Project ‘thermometer’ with the aspirational target of $5.2 million needed to build the facility.
