Kapiti Community Centre update

In its Long-term plan 2021-40, Kāpiti Coast District Council budgeted $5 million to rebuild or replace Te Newhanga Kāpiti Community Centre following its closure due to ongoing weather-tightness issues.

Janice McDougall, Council’s Group Manager People & Partnerships said Council acknowledges the Community Centre’s significance to our communities and local hapu as well as its important role in creating social connections, providing safe and welcoming spaces, and accommodating community services.

“A community centre fosters personal resilience, wellbeing, and access to resources and services for many people in our community,” said Mrs McDougall.

“All these roles are important features of a thriving community and Council is committed to providing a safe and healthy space for this to happen.

“We want to take this opportunity to develop a purpose-built facility that supports community groups to deliver the wide range of programmes and opportunities our community values,” said Mrs McDougall.

The next steps include assessing the existing building to determine whether parts of it can be refurbished and re-used (and whether it’s worthwhile to do so), engaging with partners, centre users and our community, and investigating the best location for a community centre in Paraparaumu in case the existing building is not reused.

“Early next year we’ll start on the project with a fresh look at all possibilities. Whether we retain and re-use parts of the existing centre building or construct a new one, we will ensure the next community centre provides the best facility it can for its users. Centre users and the wider community will be central in the development of the future community centre.”

More information at kapiticoast.govt.nz/CommunityCentre