Five South Island-based companies are vying for the contract to design Cromwell’s new lakeside hall and events centre.

Central Otago District Council project manager for property, Darren Penketh, confirmed yesterday that council were happy with the response to the call for submitters which closed last Monday.

“Submissions were received from lead architects in Queenstown and Christchurch using local subcontractors to help deliver the project. CODC is very pleased with the interest shown in this project and we are very happy with the high calibre of applicants.”

The $2.2M design contract will be awarded to the successful party after November 30th, following evaluation. The 16M facility has been costed based on a 2000sqm size and a Project Advisory Group of two Cromwell Community Board members and two council staff has been formed to help guide progress for the long-awaited development.

They will be part of a larger project and technical team, with a five-strong community ‘stakeholders’ group also having input.

The Advisory Group will be informed about the five submissions but will not have voting power in choosing the successful tenderer for the design and contract management services tender.

In order to avoid delays Darren Penketh and council property and facilities manager Garreth Robinson would assess the submissions and report their findings to the council’s CEO to make the final decision.

Work is set to start in July next year and the existing hall which is over 60 years old will be demolished.