Steering Group to be formed for Roxburgh Entertainment Centre rebuild
The Teviot Valley Community Board will be appointing a Roxburgh Entertainment Centre steering group for the rebuild of the community facility, which was destroyed by fire in February 2025.
At the meeting yesterday (Wednesday 28 May 2025), the Central Otago District Council (CODC) gave the community board delegation to appoint up to four external stakeholders, and asked staff to investigate the option of an appointed councillor representative as an additional member of the steering group.
The community board met on Thursday 8 May 2025 to discuss how to best fill the four seats, with a suggestion to seek registrations of interest from those willing to participate in the steering group through advertising and communication within the community.
A report to Council gave a summary of requirements for the project; the need to be scoped, external parties engaged with the development of the design, along with a clear and well-structured governance/decision-making arrangement, particularly as engaging the parties, scoping the project, and delivering the developed design in a 12-month timeframe would be ambitious.
At the 8 May meeting, the community board discussed the vital role the steering group would play in ensuring community voices were heard in the planning and design of a modern, multi-purpose facility that would meet the evolving needs of the Teviot Valley.
Following a workshop in March and growing community interest in the future of the centre, the community board recommended to Council the formal structure of the project, along with the membership of the group to be drawn from key community groups, including the Roxburgh Entertainment Centre Improvement and Promotions (RECIP), Roxburgh Musical Society, Roxburgh Brass Band, and the Teviot Valley Community Board.
“This steering group is an important part of ensuring the community’s voice is included from the earliest stages of planning,” CODC Property and Facilities Officer for Vincent and Teviot Valley Bex Snape, said. “The rebuild project is ambitious in scope and timeline. Having a team that brings together local knowledge, experience and passion will be essential.”
The steering group would play a key advisory role in the planning and design stages, providing community insight on hall use, performing arts needs and helping shape the project alongside Council staff, architects, and contractors. The group would also assist in reviewing design proposals and representing community feedback at key stages, particularly during procurement and design development.
The community board also approved a change in use for a previously granted promotions fund. The $2,967 grant originally approved for lightboxes on the now-destroyed entertainment centre will be repurposed by RECIP to purchase new promotional street banners for Roxburgh’s main street. This decision reflects the community’s desire to maintain vibrancy and positivity while the centre rebuild is underway.
The rebuild project is scheduled with an optimistic opening date of July 2028, with planning already underway for procurement, design, and community engagement phases. Insurance is expected to fund the rebuild, with the policy allowing for a ‘like for like’ replacement. Specialist consultants including Origin Consultants and Heritage NZ are engaged to manage the historical and archaeological requirements of the site.
“The Roxburgh Entertainment Centre has long been a hub for arts, culture and community activity,” CODC Group Manager – Community Experience David Scoones, said. “This project is about restoring and enhancing that role, ensuring the centre continues to serve future generations.”
