Generous donation buys club more time

A generous donation has bought a Rangiora sports club more time, as it considers the future of its heritage building.

The Rangiora Bowling Club has received a donation of $12,000 from local business Chance Voight Investment Partners to help pay for its insurance bill.

The donation follows an article by Local Democracy Reporting last month where the club appealed for community support.

The club faces increasing maintenance and insurance costs for its 113-year-old pavilion.

But the building is registered with Heritage New Zealand and listed in the Waimakariri District Plan, leaving the club with few options.

Chance Voight business development manager Laura Patterson visited the club during a bowling tournament last week to make a presentation to Rangiora Bowling Club sponsorship coordinator Ross Mehrtens.

‘‘What Laura and the team has done for us is amazing,’’ Mr Mehrtens said.

‘‘It is usually me banging on a door asking for money.’’

He said the club has received positive feedback from people wanting to help.

‘‘We were testing the waters in terms of what could happen with the heritage listing and the response has been interesting.’’

Ms Patterson said Chance Voight is pleased to be able to help the club.

‘‘We were already sponsoring the club, so when I read the article I went to our founder, Bernard Whimp, and he said ‘I think we need to help them’.

‘‘It is about giving back to the community and it is good that we are able to support local clubs like this on the back of the success of the firm.’’

Mr Mehrtens said the club is open to finding a solution and is continuing to have conversations with the Waimakariri District Council, which is helping the club to produce a feasibility study.

‘‘There are all manner of proposals, but there is nothing concrete’’.

While the pavilion is ‘‘aesthetically pleasing’’ to look at, it has a noncompliant stairwell and there is no wheel chair access, he said.

It is believed it would cost more than $1 million to bring the pavilion up to code.

Ideally the club would like to demolish the pavilion so it can upgrade its main building and remain on 7000 square metre site.

An attached building behind the pavilion is sufficient to meet the needs of the 140 members.

Mr Mehrtens said club representatives recently met with Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey.

Mr Doocey said he has written to Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Paul Goldsmith to ask ‘‘whether there might be an appetite to remove the heritage listing’’.

‘‘Removing the heritage listing would enable the club to make the best decisions for its future without encountering prohibitive costs or restrictions.

‘‘I will meet with club members again once I have received the Minister’s response.’’

Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon said council staff are continue to work with the bowling club to identify options.

‘‘Once they have worked together to explore the various opportunities these will be presented to council for further consideration.

‘‘I think it is great news that the bowling club has received a donation from a local business to help pay its insurance bill with the heritage building.’’

A Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga spokesperson said being on the New Zealand Heritage List did create any direct legal obligations for property owners, but provided recognition and other benefits such as free expert advice and potential sources of funding.

The pavilion is listed in the Waimakariri District Plan, which sets rules around what changes can be made to a property.

LDR is local body journalism cofunded by RNZ and NZ On Air.