Council seeks feedback on proposed Manaia Combined Facility Design

South Taranaki District Council (STDC) is seeking the community’s views on concept plans it has had developed for a combined community facility at the Manaia Recreation Grounds.

STDC community development advisor, Masina Taulapapa, says the plans were developed after the Manaia War Memorial Hall (the Hall) and Manaia Sports Complex (the Complex) had been closed because they were identified as earthquake-prone.

“Initially only the Hall was assessed as earthquake-prone and the Council committed up to $1 million towards its rebuild. However, a Detailed Seismic Assessment on the Manaia Sports Complex in 2018 also found it to be earthquake-prone and was closed,” says Masina.

“After considerable community engagement, no clear direction was received on whether there should be one combined facility. However, with a small population and a significant financial contribution from the Council already committed for the replacement of the Hall and the current upgrade of the Manaia swimming pool ($623,000), the Council felt the most prudent option was to design a combined community facility at the Manaia Recreation Grounds which could be presented for feedback,” she says.

“We expect the plans to fit within or near to the $1 million budget that has been set aside by the Council. But if the community want to see any additions, the Council wouldwork with a community-led initiative to try and secure extra funding,” says Masina.

The concept plans can be found here or at the Manaia LibraryPlus.

Feedback closes at 4:30 pm on Monday 21 December.