Four Teviot residents have been chosen to be part of a new steering group for the Roxburgh Entertainment Centre rebuild, and work starts tomorrow (Saturday August 2), according to the Teviot Valley Community Board chair.

The board approved the nominated members of the group - business woman Sally Smith, teachers Sarah Moore and Alistair Monteath and hall commitee member David Weatherall - yesterday, along with councillor Martin McPherson representing Central Otago District Council.

Board chair Norm Dalley said 11 people put their names forward as expressions of interest for the rebuild steering group, and at a workshop held earlier, they determined the final four external stakeholders.

The historic building, which burnt down on Waitangi Day, was insured for $6.4M, and council hopes the new one will be opened by July 2028.

The new steering group would also comprise the project sponsor, the business owner and project manager, to make a decision on the design and then direct council to go to market with potential suppliers.

Norm said the four stakeholders were chosen on their skillset and what they could contribute to the community.

“And there we have it. We start work tomorrow,” he joked.

Council staff suggested the steering group hold drop-in sessions to inform the community at each stage of the project, similar to what happened with the Cromwell Memorial Hall.

The next steps involved the group approving terms of reference, confirming the insurance payout amount, and discussing the preferred design scope of the new building.

The historic building was opened in 1875 and divested to the council in 1918. The site had now been cleared and was free of asbestos.

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