Around 100 people marked a milestone at the Omakau Community Hub on Friday 9 October, with the building now under roof.
The site on the Omakau Recreation Reserve was opened to the public for a first walk-through. Trust members, Breen contractors, families and Council staff explored the spaces, and enjoyed a sausage and cold drink supplied by Placemakers.
The building is approximately 930m2 and replaces the old Omakau hall and rugby clubrooms. It has a large function space with a stage, a small meeting room, a commercial kitchen, a larger meeting room suitable for club and community use, a gym space, toy library, and changing rooms. It was designed with accessibility in mind, and different zones can be used independently.
Manuherekia Valleys Charitable Trust chair Andrew Paterson says he’s thrilled to see the project at this stage.
“It’s taken a bit to get to this point, but the team here have done a fantastic job. It’s been a real community effort, from the contractors, and the Council, and just everyone involved has been great to see.”
Council Chief Executive Peter Kelly says the project is a great model for building a community space.
“How the Council, the Trust, contractors have worked together in such a collaborative way is great to see. This building is really impressive – the size and scale is wonderful and will really work for the Omakau community.”
The building now has its framing, trusses, roof, and exterior windows and doors, along with solar panels. Inside, work is under way on the electrical wiring, plumbing, and heating and ventilation. Insulation is next, using a wool product made with local wool, much of it donated by community members. Internal linings and exterior cladding will follow, including areas of schist stone.
The Hub is on track for an opening in the first half of 2027 and has been made possible by funding from Council, Bob Turnbull Trust, CLT, OCT, Lotteries and local groups.
Anyone interested in supporting the fit-out stage of the project can contact the trust on info.omakauhub@gmail.com
