An architect’s impression of how the markets could look.

Ange Holt

Te Awamutu and Kihikihi Community Board chair Ange Holt has taken the case for finding a ‘holme’ for a community space a step further.

Waipā District Council’s Finance and Corporate committee today considered a recommendation from the board about creating a community space in what was formerly Holmes Garage in Mahoe St.

The committee suggested Holt and Te Awamutu Business Chamber chief executive Shane Walsh look at the possibility of private funding for the project.

Chair Andrew Brown noted that the project was not in the Long Term Plan for council funding so was not worth looking at in the short term.

Shane Walsh

The Who Are We Te Awamutu survey identified a desire for more community spaces in town.

A proposal to consider the council-owned Mahoe St premises as a venue for indoor markets and covered community events was presented to the board at its May meeting.

“With a little bit of love, this building would make a wonderful indoor market and venue for all sorts of covered community events,” Holt said in her agenda item ahead of today’s committee meeting.

Andrew Brown

“With easy access to Market St, and then out onto the park, there could be a paved area out the back with picnic tables that open out onto Selwyn Park.”

The building – also the former home of Stuart Law Motors – was bought by council as part of the original plan to develop the Te Ara Wai Museum space next to Te Awamutu Library.

Speaking to The News yesterday, Holt said with a new location having been found to house Te Ara Wai, board members were keen to get an “initial sense” of the sentiment towards making a community space in Mahoe St a reality.

“From a board perspective, it’s something I know members are quite excited about in terms of the scope of what a community space like that could bring to town.”

Holt said there would be some costs involved, including some earthquake strengthening, façade modifications and the addition of some windows and doors, but costings would not be investigated “until we know there is support for the project”.

“As a venue though, it ties in well with that area of town being a community area, near the library and the events centre.”

Watch the item on Live Stream below.

Council to investigate covered market

Waipa District Council media release – 15 August 2023 – 4.26pm

Council has agreed to help investigate the potential for a new indoor market in Te Awamutu.

The Te Awamutu-Kihikihi Community Board has recommended council consider using the original Holmes Garage building at 90 Mahoe St for a covered indoor market and events venue. The board’s recommendation follows work by the Te Awamutu Business Chamber and others in the town.

Council purchased 90 Mahoe Street in 2016 and currently leases it on a monthly basis at a peppercorn rent. Currently the building has a National Building Standard (NBS) score of 25 per cent and is considered earthquake prone. The building is adjacent to 74 Mahoe Street, which is also owned by Council.

Ken Morris

Waipā District Council’s deputy chief executive Ken Morris said despite the building being in poor condition council agreed the site had “massive potential” and noted the area had already been tagged as ripe for re-invigoration.

“We think there’s real merit in considering the proposal and we applaud those in the community involved, including the Te Awamutu Business Chamber, the Community Board and others,” Morris said.“We’re keen to think any proposal through thoroughly and with good strategic consideration. We acknowledge the site is pivotal to the ongoing development of the Te Awamutu CBD.”

Feedback from past discussions with the community and from mana whenua would need to be taken into account before any decisions were made, Morris said.

At today’s Finance and Corporate Committee meeting, elected members agreed to fund a $25,000 investigation into urban design considerations for this area of town, including the concept of an indoor market. Money would come from funds tagged for town concept planning for Te Awamutu.

The investigation will consider implications of other nearby council-owned properties in Mahoe Street, the likely costs to bring the proposal to life, feedback from previous community consultation processes and planned streetscape improvements.  The investigation should be complete by November this year.