The removal of asbestos from the Cromwell Memorial Hall has been completed in preparation for the structure to be demolished.

A Central Otago District Council (CODC) spokesperson said no date had yet been set, however, for the demolition, which will clear the way for the town’s new facility.

CODC property and facilities manager Garreth Robinson said that from a sustainability point of view, the hall still needed to be assessed to establish what assets could be salvaged and reused.

Funding of $2.2M has been approved for the design project of a new hall/cultural centre.

The total cost for the facility has been set at $16M plus $6M for a new museum at the lakeside site.

Christchurch-based firm Jasmax, working with Cromwell architect Jess Sutherland as a design partner, were awarded the design contract in November last year.

An advisory group consisting of Cr Nigel McKinlay, Cromwell Community Board chairperson Anna Harrison, CODC property and facilities manager Garreth Robinson and executive manager, planning and environment Louise van der Voort is overseeing the project. 

Five groups are also represented on a stakeholders group for the new hall including the Cromwell Cultural Centre, Cromwell RSA, Fine Thyme Theatre, Cromwell Town and Country Club and Cromwell Museum.   

End of toy story at the hall: Users had already vacated when the council moved to start closing off access. 

The 62-year-old hall on Melmore Terrace, now closed, had been set to be removed in July but this was delayed when the community board requested more information regarding what was to be built in its place.

CODC says the project has now moved from investigation to concept design stage with the council’s contractor presenting some of the ideas to staff and stakeholders.

“We should hear more about these at the next Cromwell Community Board meeting on Monday 12 September,” Garreth said.