Funding Required to Complete the Kaiapoi Community Hub

In the 2020/21 Annual Plan the Council allocated funding to design a concept for a Community Hub in the Kaiapoi South Regeneration Area. In our Long Term Plan (LTP) 2021-2031 we confirmed funding to progress this project. Community hubs are flexible spaces that can be used for different recreation, arts and hobby activities, and social and cultural activities.

Currently there are three groups who have expressed an interest in potentially locating at the hub – the Kaiapoi Croquet Club, the Kaiapoi Menz Shed and Food Secure North Canterbury. The groups are working together to establish a Trust to manage the hub and how it operates.

After significant community engagement the proposed concept design has been developed along with costings to deliver the hub. However, the cost for infrastructure needed on site has increased significantly over the last three years.

We have also made changes to the design based on community feedback, including changes to the carpark, landscaping and site establishment which all require additional funding.

The community hub has been developed as a partnership model and will cost approximately $3.9m to build.

The groups are seeking support, with help from the Council, from other funding organisations, through sponsorship and other in-kind grants to establish buildings on-site.

The Council’s proposed contribution to the capital development of this project is proposed to increase from $618k to $1.22m.

This would require additional budget of $300k in the 2022/23 year and $300k in the 2023/24 year and be in addition to the $618k approved in the 2021/31 Long Term Plan.

The hub also has space to house further groups – should there be demand in the future.