The cause of the Roxburgh Entertainment Centre on February 6 may never be known, because of how devastating it was.

Those were the words from Central Otago District Council property and facilities manager Garreth Robinson to the Teviot Valley Community Board yesterday.

Council staff were at the meeting to start the process of the community steering group for the rebuild, which would be led by the community board (TVCB).

A report to the board showed the rebuild project had an ‘optimistic’ opening date of July 2028, but the next step was for the TVCB to decide on four external stakeholders with relevant experience.

The steering group would comprise the project sponsor, the business owner, project manager, a member of the TVCB and the four appointed members of the community.

Council recommended a representative from the Roxburgh Entertainment Centre Improvement and Promotions Group (RECIP), the Roxburgh Musical Society, Roxburgh Brass Band and a TVCB member.

The community board would meet again in the next few weeks to progress the steering group, which would be formalised by July 31, and then signed off by council.

Board member Gill Booth said from feedback in the community, if it was viewed as a council rebuild, and council “controlled,” they risked not getting as much financial support from donations and fundraising, “because people don’t view it as theirs.”

But Garreth said there was no point in having 150 people around a table trying to make a decision, “it’s not going to happen.”

Board chair Norman Dalley, who was also part of the Entertainment Centre committee, said there seemed plenty of opportunity for input to be extracted from the community.

The group would look at the proposed scope developed by the architect, provide feedback, and generally be a sounding board for the project.

The historic building was opened in 1875 and divested to the council in 1918. It was insured for $6.4 million and the council would go out to market with potential suppliers for ideas on a new community space and theatre. 

Have a story to share?

Contact [email protected]