Omakau Community Hub

Omakau Community Hub Project

Update 8 May 2026

Construction of the Manuherekia Valleys Community Hub is progressing well, with foundation works, under-slab services, and much of the site preparation now complete. These key early-stage milestones have set the project up to move into concrete slab pours starting this month and the next phase of building works.

While good progress is now being made, the overall programme has shifted slightly to allow for more detailed design coordination, building consent amendments, and earlier delays due to weather and flooding caused by irrigation failures on the adjacent reserve. The project is now expected to be completed in March 2027, with the next steps focused on completing the slabs and progressing structural framing, while the team continues to work closely with contractors, consultants, and Council to keep the project on track.

Update 25 November 2025

Pictured above, Vincent Community Board chair Jayden Cromb (left), Manuherekia Valleys Charitable Trust chair Andrew Paterson and Central Otago Deputy Mayor Tracy Paterson took part in the ceremonial whakawatea/sod-turning honours at the Omakau Hub site on 25 November to kick the project off.

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Update 17 November 2025

Construction of the new Manuherekia Valleys Community Hub at the Omakau Recreation Reserve is officially underway. Breen Construction has signed the contract and started site preparations, with excavation beginning 24 November.

The Hub will replace the old hall and rugby clubrooms and include a 200-seat hall, meeting room, commercial kitchen, bar, gym, changing rooms, and a stage for school productions. Landscaping and fencing will also enhance the reserve.

Funding has reached $3.5m of the $4.1m target, with major contributions from CODC ($1m), Bob Turnbull Trust ($600k), CLT ($800k), OCT ($540k), Lotteries ($200k), and local groups. The Council approved the remaining shortfall in July 2025.

Construction is expected to take 12 months, and the Hub will become a vibrant space for community events. Fundraising continues for fit-out and landscaping, including a Golf Tournament on 28 December.

“We’re thrilled to finally turn the turf on this long-awaited project,” MVCT chair Andrew Paterson said

Project Information

All going according to plan in the fundraising strategy, the Manuherekia Valleys Charitable Trust will have the $5.2 million needed to start building the hub at the end of 2025.

However, the trust has asked the Central Otago District Council (CODC) to cover a possible $1.6 million shortfall in the 2025-34 draft Long-term Plan (LTP) which will open for consultation on 28 March 2025.

On 3 December 2024 the VCB was updated on the progress on the Community Hub, the importance of the community’s outdoor community places and the Council’s Open Spaces and Recreation Strategy 2024.

During the meeting, Manuherekia Valleys Charitable Trust (MVCT) chair Andrew Paterson, said the 948sqm building in the domain would replace the existing hall and rugby clubrooms, and would include a hall seating 200, a meeting room, commercial kitchen, bar, changing rooms, a gym and a stage for school pupils to host productions.

After the meeting, some members and Council Community Experience staff, took the opportunity to tour the rest of the Omakau Recreation Reserve above the Omakau Golf Club to see the progress on a walking track that will loop around the reserve. Development of the track was allowed for in the Omakau Reserve Management Plan which was adopted in November 2023.

The community was updated on progress to meet the fundraising target of between $4.2m - 5.2m to build the multi-purpose facility based in the Omakau Recreation Reserve (the Omakau Domain), at a community day on Sunday 19 October 2024.

See page 5 The News: The News - Wanaka and Central Otago | Digital Edition

Read all about the concept and development of the Omakau Hub on the Omakau Domain Reserve:

Omakau Hub Project given a big funding boost

Omakau Hub project on track

Omakau Hub project on a $1.2 million mission in 2024

See concept plans for Omakau Hub HERE

An open day to provide an update to the community on the Omakau Hub project will be held in May.

The Manuherekia Valleys Charitable Trust, the group behind the establishment of a new community facility on the Omakau Recreation Reserve, will host the gathering to be accompanied by a barbecue, on Sunday 19 May 1pm-3pm at the Omakau Rugby Club rooms.

The purpose of the open day is to bring the community up to speed with progress on the concept plans, funding, the next steps and to provide a forum for questions to be answered, about the $5.2 million multi-purpose facility.

Community, CODC elected members and staff are invited.

The Trust was granted $1 million by Council towards building a community hub on the Council-owned reserve to replace the existing rugby club rooms and Omakau hall, which has now been officially closed, and to establish several community organisations and sporting groups within the hub.

For further info contact Trust Chair Andrew Paterson: 027 224 7511

Email: info.omakauhub@gmail.com

Phone/text: Trust Secretary Maree Leitch: 021 226 5273

Omakau Community Hub

Omakau Community Hub Project

Project Information

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