South Dunedin Community Pop-Up to open

Dunedin (Monday, 4 September 2017) – The South Dunedin Community Pop-Up will open its doors for the first time on Friday.

Members of the public are invited to attend the formal opening, which will take place at 11.30am in the Pop-Up premises at 199 Hillside Road.

Mayor of Dunedin Dave Cull says, “The opening of this facility is a significant milestone in the city’s relationship with the South Dunedin community.”

The South Dunedin Community Pop-Up will be officially opened by former Dunedin city councillor Anne Turvey, a long-time advocate for a library in the suburb.

DCC Group Manager Arts and Culture Bernie Hawke says the Pop-Up includes space for community activities, meeting areas, DCC service centre and library activities. The Pop-Up will also provide free Gig wifi and free public access to the internet.

As part of its role as a community facility, there will be a weekly JP service and a community ‘hot desk’ where members of local community groups can be based for a week or two at a time to promote awareness of their services.

The Pop-Up will be open a total of 25 hours each week, from Tuesday to Saturday. It is located in the Cargill Enterprises premises on Hillside Road.

Cargill Enterprises Chief Executive Geoff Kemp says, “Fifty years ago to the month Her Excellency Lady Fergusson opened the Cargills Hall as a facility designated to serve the community. Over the years there has been a decline in the hall’s usage to a point where it was vacant for much of the week.

“We are excited the facility has been rediscovered and revitalised, but more importantly maintaining the initial intent to serve a need in our community. Cargill Enterprises are thrilled to be partnering with the city on this worthwhile initiative and very much look forward to the vibrancy it will bring to both our own organisation and South D.”

Mr Cull says the Pop-Up will also provide a focal point for the community to provide feedback and input into the development of the permanent South Dunedin Community Hub.

It is intended that the Pop-Up facility will remain in place for about two years during the development of the permanent hub.

As part of the official opening, there will be performances by Bathgate Park School Kapa Haka and Pasifika groups as well as the DCC Waiata Group. Some members of the local community are planning to attend dressed as either their favourite character or favourite author and members of the public are welcome to do the same.

Later in the day, there will be a series of community events in the space including the Carisbrook School Choir and a children’s storytelling and craft activity. Additional events are also planned for Saturday morning.

ENDS

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