Foxton War Memorial Hall will remain in community hands after council vote to sell the hall

Before the issue was put to a vote, it was discussed for 45 minutes. Before the debate began, councilor Piri-Hira Tucapua walked away from the table, citing a conflict of interest.

When it came to a vote, a split was required, with Mayor Bernie Vanden, Deputy Mayor David Allen and councilors Justin Tamahana, Clint Grimstone, Nina Hori Te Pa, Alan Young and Ross Branigan voting in favor of the sale.

Council members Mike Bake, Jonathan Procter, Sam Jennings and Paul Olsen voted no.

There are conditions attached to the sale, with the council having the right to buy the building back if the conditions are not met. The conditions are that the hall will remain open to the public and not be demolished, and that earthquake strengthening will be undertaken and completed by 2037.

During the debate, councilor Justin Tamihana referred to the chamber as a taonga.

“I think it is important for the council to continue to support the needs of the community and provide access to such an important community asset.”

He said the council should recognize the teamwork between iwi and community groups.

“The iwi and hapū are supporting this process along with the Foxton War Memorial Society, which represents a very large and diverse sector of community groups from the Foxton and Foxton Beach areas. They do not represent a single whole, but a wider public sphere.”

He said he wants Foxton to continue to be a place where retired military personnel are honored and celebrated.

“It highlights what they mean to our area and the country. I want to continue to support and protect this taonga for future generations just as many of us have enjoyed this site in our time… We have a very significant group who have come together to become advocates for their community and so I support them and the work they have done their work.”

Councilman Barker opposed the sale of the building.

“On a good day, that’s $500,000 worth of taxpayer assets. In my opinion, on behalf of these taxpayers, there are too many ifs, buts and maybes in this agreement. Especially regarding who owns it, given that it is a public asset. So, in good conscience, I will not support this.”

Councilman Jennings said he’s wary.

“On the one hand, I think, like you, Mr. Mayor, that let’s give them a chance, let’s give them a chance with the appropriate guarantees. But then another part of me says we’ll be preparing to fail because that’s always been the issue, the viability of continuing to operate the hall as is, and the dream that the building can complete earthquake hardening at minimal cost. Based on the numbers, it doesn’t add up.”

In 2014, the cost of strengthening the building was estimated at $600,000, he said. A similar appraisal was done this year and the value increased to approximately $1.5 million to $2 million.

“We may think we’re creating a group with an asset, but I think we’re giving them responsibility. I think we could throw the can aside and find ourselves in the same situation where we suddenly and dramatically realize that it is not practical to modernize and maintain the hall in this form.”

Mayor Bernie Vanden spoke in favor of selling the building, saying the problem has not been solved.

“I’m surprised this issue is still pending, but we have to acknowledge the fact that the community has asked us to revisit this issue, and some people may think that solving the berm problem is something that shouldn’t be done, but, again, it’s an acknowledgment of what the community has done. Regardless of the assessment of whether there will be full community support, I still believe I must recognize that the community is asking us to preserve this property as a community asset.”

He said he supported the decision to sell the building.

“I believe this group deserves the opportunity to make the site a sustainable environment and contribute to the community. Because if they don’t, we’ll be back to square one. “I always think there will be ‘what ifs,’ so they deserve the opportunity to make it happen.”

Speaking after the meeting, FWMHS spokeswoman Nola Fox said the community was “delighted” with the decision.

“We’re really keen to start working with hapū. We need to finalize the memorandum of understanding and we may need to enter into a purchase and sale agreement with the council. We hope this can all be resolved quickly so we can move forward and take advantage of as many summer events and fundraising opportunities as possible.”