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The Orewa Guide den in Centreway Rd.
The future of the Orewa Guide den is uncertain following a damning building report. A further spanner in the works is the re-structuring of Girl Guiding NZ.
Orewa Guides have known for some time that their den, which has been their base for more than 50 years, has structural issues, including rot (HM February 18). Recently the extent of the problem was revealed by a thorough inspection by independent building inspectors Hutchinson Consulting Engineers, who offered their services free of charge.
Orewa District coordinator Karen Alden says the engineers’ report was unequivocal, stating that the den must be rebuilt from the foundations up. “It’s not going to fall down around our ears in the next four years, but the problem is throughout the whole structure and can’t be fixed in bits,” Karen says.
If it were up to the Orewa Guides, Karen says that they would find a way to raise enough for the rebuild. However, the issue is to be taken out of Orewa Guides’ hands by next January as the national Guide headquarters restructures to a “girl-led” organisation that centralises many functions and decision making, reducing the need for volunteer coordinators.
This means that a decision as to what happens with the building, and fundraising, now rests with the national body.
The Guides own the land and buildings at their site in Centreway Road. Karen has been asked to prepare a report that covers the pros and cons of rebuilding versus selling the site and amalgamating with Whangaparaoa Guides, based in Stanmore Bay, or renting a hall.
With a waiting list, and a catchment that includes growing areas such as Hatfields Beach, Millwater and Dairy Flat, Karen says amalgamation would not be favoured.
“We would lose so many members and leaders – some already travel quite long distances,” she says. “We already have some money tagged for the rebuild and our best bet is to stay here. This is a well used community asset and if it’s rebuilt on this site it will make money and get even better use.”
Girl Guiding NZ communications manager Jane Smithson says the organisation needs to provide girls with a place to meet. “The Orewa Guide den property will go through an assessment process alongside all others to determine suitable Girl Guiding venues for the future. Some of our properties no longer meet our requirements, need considerable maintenance and/or repair and are costing the organisation to retain them,” she says. “At this stage there are no plans for combining the Orewa and Whangaparaoa groups, but as always, our priorities are the girls and what is best for them in their communities.”
Karen has no doubt that what’s best for the Orewa Guides is to rebuild their den. “Here the girls can decorate the walls, showing their achievements, and all of that provides something to strive for. You can’t do that in a rented hall.”
Tin shed also fails
Meanwhile, the most immediate project is replacing the Orewa Guides’ tin shed, which stores their equipment. It was not given proper foundations and is rusting in the sea air. Gubba Sheds have offered the organisation a good deal on a kitset wooden shed, but the Guides need to raise around $3000 to fund it, including a foundation slab. If you can help, please contact Karen, email fidgetbutt@gmail.com or phone 0274 572 569.
