Future of two significant buildings in Hororata   26 Aug 2016

Future of two significant buildings in Hororata

Six years on from the September 2010 earthquakes the Hororata Community Trust reflects on its achievements and considers the future of two significant building projects it hasbeen working with the community on; the St John’s Anglican Church and Hororata Hall.

“I think after the earthquakes we all had big dreams of having these important community facilities repaired quickly but the reality is that each project is complex and has a numberof stakeholders,” explains Hororata Community Trust Chairman, Richard Lang.

“It is fair to say that the repair of the significant damage to St John’s Church following the 2010 earthquake was a key catalyst for the establishment of the Trust and rebuilding theChurch has always been at the top of our agenda, although of course the objects of the Trust cover a range of community projects. There is wide community support to see thisbuilding reinstated to its former glory. To this end, we have been working with the Anglican Church since the earthquakes and have been in direct discussions with the ChurchProperty Trustees since late 2014.

We see our role in the rebuild of St John’s Church as both fundraising and helping to set the specifications of the repair, in consultation with the community and co-operation with the Church Property Trustees. It is important to us that if the Hororata Community Trust assists with the repair of St John’s Church that it is suitable and available for both Churchand community use.

We have put two detailed written proposals to the Church Property Trustees, which are currently being considered. They need to complete some internal processes and obtainexternal advice, and this process is expected to take time. We are confident that there is a way forward for the St John’s Church.”

At the start of 2016 the Hororata Community Trust received a very clear message from the community that the repair and redevelopment of the historic Hororata Hall was verymuch a project they would like to see the Trust to take the lead on.

“While we wait on progress with the repair of St John’s Church, we are looking at other projects to benefit the local community and the repair and redevelopment of the historic but earthquake damaged Hororata Hall is high on the community’s priorities. We are excited to be working with the Hororata Citizens committee and Ashley Hide from AthfieldArchitects on a project plan for the Hororata Hall. The Hall was originally designed by architect Hurst Seagar in the early 1900’s and is a significant building for the community.

The Selwyn District Council has welcomed this move and is very open to the options the community has around this facility. Every building must have a vision and a purpose; the Hororata Hall is important because of its historical significance in the community also because it has a fully equipped stage which provides a wonderful performance space.

In the meantime, Hororata will continue to etch its place on the map with the Hororata Highland Games which will be held on the 5th of November at the Hororata Domain. TheGames is a big part of the Trust achieving its vision, which is to ‘provide the resources to promote, foster and develop Hororata and its wider community’. The Trust will also continueto work with the community on the successful Heritage of Hororata and Beyond tourism project with another open weekend planned for March 2017.

ENDS

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