Council equipment failure has caused irrigation water to leak into the foundations of the new Manuherekia Valleys Community Hub on three occasions.

As a result, the $4.1 million project at the Omakau domain is running about four weeks behind, the Vincent Community Board was told this week.

The new hub is a collaborative effort between the Central Otago District Council and the local community, led by the Manuherekia Valleys Charitable Trust.

Council staff said the flooding had resulted in water having to be pumped out of the foundations several times.

Property officer Tara Bates said they were still having to remove silt from the last incident in January when the water was also running out onto the state highway.

Additionally, there was the issue of having the grounds ready for use for the upcoming Central Otago A&P Show on February 14.

Trust chair Andrew Paterson said they had been trying to irrigate the reserve for the upcoming show to get it ready for the horses on the day, “so if council can sort the equipment out that would really take the pressure off us.”

The cost of each flooding incident was between $4000 and $5000.

Breen Construction is building the new community hub at the domain - the same company that built the original hall and rugby clubrooms 70 years ago.

Construction of the long-planned replacement of the existing facility will include a 200-seat hall, meeting rooms, commercial kitchen, function room with bar, gym, changing rooms and a stage for school performances.

Funding support for the new hub came from local, regional and national sources, and the expected completion date is now February 2027.

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