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Date: 14.08.14

US Marine Hall Future – Attracting Plenty of Comment

Consultation around the future of the US Marine Hall in Titahi Bay is attracting plenty of community feedback.

The 1942 hall has been identified as a heritage building and is the long-time base of the Porirua Little Theatre, however it has been closed by water damage and Porirua City Council alone cannot afford the restoration bill.

The Council is exploring alternative funding options, including looking for partners to help with repairing or restoring the building.

Residents are being asked for their views on what should happen if substantial funding assistance can’t be found. Should efforts be made to fund restoration of the hall anyway or should it be demolished and the reserve site used for something else?

Consultation began on July 26 and closes on September 5. After just 2 weeks of consultation around 50 responses had been received.

Deputy Mayor ‘Ana Coffey says it is important to hear from residents from across Porirua City about what they feel should be done with the building and the reserve site it is on.

“This is not just about a community hall in Titahi Bay. This is an issue for all Porirua residents and we are keen to hear your views on whether we should be investing in it further."

The hall was purpose built as a recreation hall for the Marines camped temporarily at the old Titahi Bay golf course. Although the Marines used the hall for less than a year, it has remained a community hall since.

It has historic significance as one of the few surviving structures from any of the US Marine camps in New Zealand and still has most of its original structure and fabric.

The options for its future are:

Demolition: Minimum cost of $30,000 – there are likely to be more costs associated with the Resource Management Act consenting process and rehabilitation of the reserve site,

Basic repair: $330,000 approx. This involves just enough repair work to lift the Dangerous and Insanitary notice, and to allow public use. Repairs include weather-tightness, building compliance and partial internal fit-out. Further expenditure will be required in the medium term, for example re-roofing,

Comprehensive repair/restoration: $700,000 to $820,000 for complete repair/restoration - retaining some original material.

Demolish and replace with new building: $1million plus.

To find out more and to give feedback online go to www.pcc.govt.nz (keyword US Marine Hall).

Hard copies of the discussion paper and freepost survey form are also available at the Council's main building in Cobham Court and at city libraries. Copies have also been sent to every household in Titahi Bay, To find out more contact your local Councillors, or Lisa Gooch (Senior Policy Analyst, Heritage and Environment): phone 04 237-3841 or email lgooch@pcc.govt.nz.

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