My Account
Sometimes it can feel like projects take far longer than we’d all like.
Today I’m excited to update you on several key projects that are nearly complete.
The education wing at the Estuary Arts Centre is almost enclosed. Our aim is for classes to start as soon as possible once the centre opens before Christmas. I’m always pleased when having a coffee to see the café full and people enjoying the exhibitions. The estuary is starting to develop a reputation as an edgy and vibrant sub-regional arts centre.
Next door to the arts centre, both the toilet block and the skate park are progressing quickly. The new toilet block will cater for the many people using the Te Ara Tahuna Cycle and Walkway. Work is on schedule with facility expected to open in December 2015. The old motor home dumping station has been relocated to Hatfields Beach with financial support from the Motor Home Association.
Near the Youth Centre, our new skate park is really starting to take shape. The original skate park built years ago by our wonderful local skaters was only ever meant to be temporary. Contrax, a local Orewa based firm with national experience, are designing and building the new facility. We are grateful for the design input from local skaters, many who were involved with the original skate park.
You may have also seen the complementary walkway lighting at the Western Reserve entrance. We’ve used our Auckland Transport Capital Fund for this work. In the future, we hope to use more of this funding to construct a walkway along Orewa Beach and to complete the links in the Te Ara Tahuna Walkway taking it to Silverdale.
Our local board’s successful campaign to reduce the size of the catchment spend for development contributions in the Silverdale/Millwater area means we have over $3.4 million to develop the fields at Metropark and construct new walkways. Funding is available to complete the design work for Metropark West and for its development in future years.
The Stoney Homestead project is almost complete with the homestead and original “shed” restored. Funding is in place for the homestead’s internal refit, onsite car parking and landscaping. Through our Auckland Transport Capital funding, we will add parking bays for more on street parking. This will be a fabulous hub for the Millwater community.
The Stanmore Bay Leisure Centre upgrade is underway. Working drawings are being prepared for the consenting process with work due to start in the next financial year (2016/2017). The upgrade will fix structural issues and an internal refit will make the space more functional for everyone.
It is great to see these projects coming to fruition and knowing that we’ll enjoy using these wonderful facilities for years to come.
