Hall fees tumble by a third

The cost of hiring three Auckland Council-managed halls in Mahurangi has cut by almost 30 per cent.

The standard peak hourly rate for Warkworth Masonic Hall, Shoesmith Hall and Kaukapakapa Memorial Hall is $24, down from $34 from last year.

The reduction reflects a general decline in hall hire fees in Rodney. However, hire fees for Warkworth Town Hall’s main hall and Te Hana Hall remain unchanged. Their standard peak hourly rates are $59 and $24 respectively. Non-profit community groups get a 50 per cent discount on hall charges.

The Rodney Local Board considers feedback from hall committees, hirers, community groups and analysis of booking data when setting fees.

Board Parks and Recreation Committee chair Brent Bailey says hall charges need to be realistic for an area.

As part of ensuring the halls are well-maintained, Warkworth’s Old Masonic Hall is being repainted, and the Wellsford Community Centre’s stage has been repaired.

Work planned in the year ahead includes replacing parts of the roof at Wellsford Community Centre and Coatesville Settlers Hall, and refurbishing toilets at Pakiri Hall.

Fourteen halls in Rodney are managed by committees who set fees independently of Council and are unaffected by the declining fees. These include: Ahuroa Hall, Leigh Hall, Mahurangi East Community Centre, Pakiri War Memorial Hall, Point Wells Hall, Tapora Community Hall, Wellsford Community Centre, Whangaripo Hall, Whangateau Hall, Tauhoa Hall and Ranfurly Hall.