Members of the Cromwell Returned Services Association want the word “memorial” retained in the name of the new public complex being built on the site of the former Cromwell Memorial Hall.

RSA president Denis Ryan made the case during the public forum of Wednesday’s Cromwell Community Board meeting, where elected members agreed to proceed with a public consultation on the facility’s name.

“The word ‘memorial’ is not symbolic - it is foundational,” Denis said.

Denis said the RSA had been involved early as an external stakeholder in planning for the replacement of the former hall, which was demolished after failing to meet earthquake standards.

He said retaining “memorial” in the name was one of the organisation’s earliest and most consistent requests, dating back to January 2022.

The RSA had previously supported the working title Cromwell Memorial Hall and Event Centre, which Denis described as a compromise reflecting both the expanded purpose of the new complex and its commemorative origins.

While he said the RSA respected the decision to consult the wider community, Denis warned about what was at stake.

“Removing ‘memorial’ from the name would erase a vital link to our identity and history,” he said.

The reinstated Cromwell cenotaph. Image: The Central App

The public forum followed an earlier community board workshop led by council staff, which was open to the public but limited discussion to those seated at the table.

That workshop focused on the scope and timing of consultation, along with the challenges of naming a $46 million, multi-use facility expected to serve both Cromwell and the wider district.

Board members and council staff acknowledged the name would be asked to do a lot of work.

"We want it to be a way-finding tool, it's got to explain what's in the facility, we want it to be easy to say and remember, we want it to be marketable for the audience that we're wanting to reach, it’s got to last the test of time,” CODC community and engagement manager Paula Penno said.

However staff and board members stressed the main name would not need to carry that responsibility alone.

Separate names were proposed for outdoor spaces and individual areas within the complex, allowing different aspects of history, function and funding to be recognised.

"We've got the Cromwell War Memorial Gardens, which is great. And I'm sure that when we come to naming the RSA room - it might be called the RSA room by everybody - but it's highly likely to be the Cromwell RSA Memorial Rooms or something of that nature, so that it's got very much an identity that links it to that memorial purpose,” board chair Anna Harrison said.

It was suggested some internal spaces could also carry sponsor or donor names.

Cromwell councillor Bob Scott noted regardless of the final decision, “there will always be a group of people who are always going to call it ‘the hall’”.

Discussion also covered who should be included in the consultation process.

While most of the build was funded through Cromwell endowment land, the facility’s ongoing operating costs will be met through district-wide funding, prompting staff to recommend consultation extend beyond the town.

Anna said she did not want to pre-empt the outcome of the consultation but reassured RSA representatives the board was taking the task of recommending a name “very seriously”.

Council staff indicated consultation would run for two weeks in March, with feedback expected to be reported back to the community board in April.

The board would then make a recommendation to councillors and the mayor, with a final decision needed to align with construction and signage timelines ahead of the complex’s planned mid-year opening.

A full house for a Cromwell Community Board workshop on Wednesday, February 4, focused on naming the town's replacment hall. Image: The Central App

Although not seated at the table, council property and facilities manager Garreth Robinson stood to highlight tight construction deadlines as others toyed with the merits of a longer consultation period.

“We’ve got to mount the name...these are the things we’ve got to start thinking about...we don’t want to be bringing in more construction crews just to put up a name,” he said, noting any delay would be costly.

Cromwell councillor and community board member Sarah Browne said while the consultation timeframe was short it followed “years of discussion”.

“We’re front ending this with as much fact as we can.”

Cromwell councillor Charlie Sanders described the educational component of the consultation as “propaganda” and asked what options would be available to people wanting to have their say.

Both board members and staff supported a combination of online and paper submissions, alongside drop-in sessions, while there was no appetite for a town-hall style meeting. The option for site tours was also discussed.

The workshop confirmed mana whenua had gifted a te reo Māori name for the complex, with its significance to be shared during consultation.

Board members were told the memorial grounds surrounding the reinstated cenotaph were expected to be completed ahead of Anzac Day.

Council staffer David Scoones described some “nail-biting moments” as the cenotaph was lowered into place earlier this week.

The workshop was well attended by councillors from across the district, as well as members of the public.

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