The Cromwell Memorial Hall will receive an official farewell, with a dawn ceremony and blessing to be held on Monday, April 29.

The green light was given to build a new hall and event centre for Cromwell at the Central Otago District Council meeting in February, with Naylor Love awarded the demolition and construction contract. 

Plans were put in motion to organise a farewell for the old hall, to enable the building to be demolished in May so that construction work could begin.

Following the Cromwell Community Board meeting in April 2024 where the hall farewell was discussed, board chair Anna Harrison said it was important that people, many of whom had, had a long association with the hall, had a chance to say goodbye.

“Since it was built in1960, the hall has been [a] focal point in Cromwell and served the community well. Now the time has come to replace it with a new facility that is fit for purpose and future-proofed, for a growing population and a greater range of activities.

“People told us they wanted this new facility, and we are pleased to now be in a position to offer it, while also paying our respects to the old hall.”

The blessing and waiata to be conducted by iwi, will begin at dawn to signify the first light of a new day and era for Cromwell and the wider Central Otago district. Sunrise is due at 7.36am. 

The community is welcome to attend the event and should aim to arrive 10 to 15 minutes beforehand.

The blessing will be followed by speeches from dignitaries including Anna, former Mayor of Cromwell Peter Mead (1980-1986), and Cromwell RSA president Denis Ryan. Other members of the stakeholder group and interested parties have also been officially invited.

Do you have a memory or a photo of the old hall from days gone by that you’d like to share?

To upload go to “Memories of the Cromwell Memorial Hall” on Let’s Talk: Cromwell Memorial Hall & Events Centre | Let’s Talk Central Otago.

Read more: Memorial hall farewell ceremony in the planning