Cromwell’s big build approaching first anniversary

Cromwell Community Board members and Central Otago District Council staff toured the memorial hall build on Melmore Terrace in Cromwell prior to their meeting on Tuesday (25 March 2025).

Solid progress is happening on the new Cromwell memorial hall and events centre build, with the roof on community space (Zone B, to the left in photo) now complete. The auditorium roof (Zone A, to the right) will start going on in the coming months.

Installing the building services, such as putting in the fire sprinklers, has commenced.

The stitch joints between the large concrete panels have been completed.

By Anzac Day (25 April), the construction will have been going for nearly a year, with the farewell ceremony to the old memorial hall having taken place in April 2024, and its demolition shortly after.

Towards the end of June last year, the RSA cenotaph and gun were moved offsite. These historic items are temporarily in storage in the far corner of the site behind the newly completed carpark, opposite the Cromwell Town & Country Club. They will eventually be moved into the memorial garden (see illustration).

“We know how important these are to the Cromwell RSA and the community,” CODC Group Manager – Community Experience David Scoones said, “and we look forward to when we can invite people into the new space for commemorations in the future.”

All Cromwell's Anzac activities will take place at Cromwell Cemetery this year with poppy laying at 8am and wreath laying 10am.

Cromwell Community Board chair Anna Harrison (pictured left, with Central Otago Mayor Tamah Alley) was thrilled with the progress.

"It's looking absolutely fantastic. The Naylor's team are amazing. We've been given a fantastic tour today.

"It's amazing to see in real time where the museum space will be, the cinema, the extra-large rooms and the amazing space of the auditorium.

"Very, very exciting and I can't wait to see what happens next."