Funding grants are being sought to cover a shortfall between the $22M allocated by the Central Otago District Council (CODC) for Cromwell’s new hall and museum, and the cost of providing all desired parts of the project.

The Cromwell Community Board resolved last month, during a closed meeting, to apply for funds for the project from the Lotteries Commission.  

The board also authorised the council’s CEO to apply for funds to the Otago Community Trust, Central Lakes Trust and other agencies. These could help enable as many design elements as possible to be incorporated into the facility.

A concept design for the new lakeside facility, compiled by architects Jazmax, will be discussed by the Cromwell Community Board on Monday (September 12).

Louise van der Voort, executive manager for planning and environment confirmed yesterday that early indications were that the hall and museum project will exceed the budget of $22M contained in the council's Long-term Plan.

She said it had been identified through the investigation phase of the project that there was a clear demand for more activities to be incorporated into the new hall and this has impacted on cost estimates.

"Additionally building cost increases relating to resource constraints for supply, and increased labour costs have also impacted the costs and budget."

An ‘external stakeholders’ group, working together with the CODC, had identified what features they would like to see included in the new cultural centre development. These included a 400-seat auditorium, performance ‘back of house’ facilities for theatrical and live performance groups, a large foyer community space, a bar, commercial kitchen and large events space.

An artist’s impression of the proposed new culture centre, as viewed from Melmore Terrace, showing the relocated war memorial at right

Also on the list is a flexible space with a sprung floor suitable for rehearsal and other group activities, small and medium meeting spaces, operational, service and administrative facilities, a new museum, café and 40-seat cinema.

The stakeholders group includes representatives from the Cromwell Cultural Centre Trust, Cromwell RSA, Fine Thyme Theatre, Cromwell Town and Country Club, and Cromwell Museum.   

To incorporate all items would push the floor space out to near 3,000sqm. This size was desired by some community members who gave feedback to an earlier council public consultation exercise although the current project was embarked upon working on a budget relating to a 2,000sqm facility.

The board's approval of the concept design will be needed on Monday for the project to progress and for applications to be submitted for the funding grants, according to a council report. 

This proposed concept layout for Cromwell's new cultural centre will be reviewed on Monday by the Cromwell Community Board

Jasmax had provided a “staged design methodology” which would allow the design to be reviewed, amended and scaled down if necessary, as funding was secured, the report stated.

Progress on the funding applications would be updated early next year. 

The board's approval will also be required for the demolition of the existing Cromwell Memorial Hall to go ahead. 

In March this year the board decided to hold off on the demolition of the old hall until there was a plan to replace it. 

The report stated that the demolition will allow further geotechnical investigation under the current building which will “support the design/layout of the new building.”