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Construction of a multi-purpose community centre on Mansel Drive is steaming ahead, with the Mahurangi Presbyterian Church making plans to open the first stage next March.
A building consent for the internal fit-out of a gymnasium, bathroom and changing rooms, reception area, cafe and ground floor offices and meeting rooms was expected to be submitted to Auckland Council last week.
As well as the gym, the plan umbrellas a church and chapel, and potentially a standalone childcare centre. While the shell of the church and chapel, and upstairs offices have been built as part of the main structure, the fit-out of those areas will happen in stage two as funds allow.
Capital campaign manager Brian Dangerfield says in total, the project is expected to cost $11.5 million.
Through careful financial stewardship, the complex is being built almost debt-free.
Support has come from several sources. Auckland Council contributed $785,000, Lotteries Commission $400,000, Foundation North $300,000 and the church organisation PressGo $300,000, as well as extensive support from business owners, mainly within the Presbyterian congregation.
Project manager Kevin Pyle says the gymnasium will cater for a range of sports from basketball and volleyball to badminton and foosball.
It has a sprung wooden floor and a metre has been added around its perimeter to meet North Harbour Basketball regulations. This will mean it can host games at any level. There will also be tiered seating for spectators and plenty of storage room.
When stage one opens, the Warkworth Foodlink will move from the present church in Pulham Road to a specially built foodbank storage and distribution area on one side of the stadium.
The second-storey will accommodate viewing areas, offices and activity spaces with a sky bridge to the adjoining building.
The church, at the back of the complex, overlooks native bush that runs along the Mahurangi River. It will accommodate 450, with the potential to increase this to 650 in the long-term, when a mezzanine floor is added. Mahu Vision Community Trust manager Roger Mackay says that as well as church gatherings, the space will be available for conferences, weddings and funerals, and events such as the Pasifika Festival.
Alongside it is the chapel, which will be for small weddings and funerals, as well as always being available for reflection.
A spacious foyer/reception area will be used for church gatherings until the church is finished. A café and commercial kitchen, adjoining the reception area, offers potential for cooking classes and community meals.
“We’ve had some setbacks through Covid, but it has been very exciting to see the vision finally taking shape after years of planning and fundraising,” Roger said.
Booking are already being taken for the gymnasium next year. The church’s youth group has been granted sole use of the gym on Friday nights and Auckland Council has contracted its use for 40 hours a week.
The land, which sits behind the Kowhai Falls development, also potentially has many walking track connections to residential areas and Mahurangi College.
Pyle says many local contractors have been involved in the build and have been given preference on the work.
