Carterton Mayor John Booth, front right, signs the memorandum of understanding with Joseph Gillard, watched by, from left, Peter McNeur, Barbara Durbin, Carrie McKenzie, Ra Smith and Angela Reynolds. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
Carterton District Council has officially taken over the management of the refurbished Carterton Community Courthouse.
The council-owned building has been restored by the trustees of the Carterton Courthouse Trust over the past four years, with care taken to preserve its heritage.
Work could only be scheduled as funds were raised and more than $350,000 has been poured into the project.
Revenue from the bookings generated by the shared community facility will be returned to the trust to ensure ongoing maintenance can be carried out with no impact on the ratepayer.
Councillors praised the efforts of trust chairman Joseph Gillard and trustees, Barbara Durbin, Peter McNeur, Angela Reynolds, and Ra Smith for the hours of work they had put into the project.
The newly signed memorandum of understanding solidifies the partnership between the trust and the council, which will manage the facility on their behalf.
It will last for five years.