A tight time frame for planning Cromwell’s long-awaited new hall does not mean the process is being rushed, according to Cromwell Community Board chairperson Anna Harrison.

A work programme has been set out which included first forming a project team, advisory group and external stakeholder group, the latter consisting of five community groups.

 At a meeting on Tuesday however, the Board gave authority to the Central Otago District Council’s chief executive, Sanchia Jacobs, to award the design tender for the project.  

This was due to the tight timeframe surrounding the project, according to a report. 

Funding of $2.2M has been approved for the design project with the total cost for the facility set at $16M plus $6M for a new museum at the lakeside site.

The tender evaluation process, running through November, closes after the Board’s final meeting for 2021 which means it would not be able to come before the Board in time for a design contract to start this year.

A tender evaluation panel would consist of CODC property and facilities manager Garreth Robinson and project manager, property, Darren Penketh, who would brief the chief executive on their findings.

They would invite the Board’s advisory group to presentations and keep them informed but the group would not be permitted to vote on decisions. 

If disagreements arose, the report states, it was possible that authority for awarding the design contract could revert to the full Community Board.

Construction of the 2000sqm building at the site of the existing hall is set to begin in July next year.  

A request has been advertised, asking firms for proposals to “create, collaborate and contract manage the demolition of the existing Cromwell Memorial Hall and the construction of a new Cromwell Memorial Hall/Events centre”.

Drawings supplied to council by the Cromwell Cultural Centre Trust(CCCT), who have accepted a seat on the external stakeholders group, were included in the advertised request for proposals. 

The advisory group consists of Cr Nigel McKinlay, Anna Harrison, CODC property and facilities manager Garreth Robinson and executive manager, planning and environment Louise van der Voort.

 The five groups who have accepted invitations to the stakeholders group are the CCCT, Cromwell RSA, Fine Thyme Theatre, Cromwell Town and Country Club and Cromwell Museum.   

This group have not yet met to discuss the project.

Anna, speaking after the meeting, says she did not believe the process was being rushed.

“There is no rush - the timeline is clearly laid out - the crucial next steps are securing architecture services and the establishment of the stakeholder group. We are determined to get the best result possible for our community.”