Plans for the proposed build at McJorrow Park. GRAPHIC/SUPPLIED
GIANINA SCHWANECKE
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It was a rugby ball coming through the window of a meeting room five years ago which prompted the committee of Te Awhina Cameron Community House to first think about finding a new location.
The community group released a concept drawing on Tuesday of a new proposed community hub in Masterton’s McJorrow Park to replace their building on the corner of Church St and Stuart Cr.
Established in 1982, Te Awhina Cameron Community House is a community space offering a range of programmes and services.
It is based in a four-bedroom property leased from Housing New Zealand.
Co-ordinator Donna Gray said the group had reached a point where the old building had “served its purpose”.
“[The new building] will mean more people and more activities.”
The proposed new building would include five meeting rooms, two community washing machines, a kitchen, computer space, playground for children under five, medical clinic room and community hall – all under one roof.
Costings have yet to be finalised.
Gray said it was about taking pride in the east side and hoped the consultation process would ensure residents felt they had ownership of the new purpose-built space.
She said the community centre was well used, with about 30 people visiting each day.
“We’ve outgrown the house.
“We have so many people coming through.”
The new space would also be available to other organisations for community outreach programmes including, Whaiora, police, Wairarapa REAP, and Connecting Communities Wairarapa.
Gray hoped the separate meeting rooms would provide more privacy for many.
Te Awhina chairman Craig Thomson said feedback on the proposed hub had been positive.
Some had raised questions about moving further down the road to McJorrow Park, but he said basing the new hub next to Masterton District Council’s children’s play area made sense.
“There’s more there that makes us think this is a good move. It just makes sense.”
Thomson said the trust was excited to see what feedback was offered by the community.
Te Awhina was appealing to those in the wider Masterton area to come forward with suggestions and feedback too, not just those living on the east side.
- Feedback can be given to Donna directly at the current community space or via email [email protected]
