Media release
23 August 2004

Go-ahead for heart and hub of Summerland Drive/Western Heights

Caption: An artist’s impression of the Summerland Drive/Western Heights community facility.

The Concept Design of the Summerland Drive/Western Heights community facility has been given the green light by Waitakere’s City Development Committee.

Passionate, committed people of any age are sought to become involved in the volunteer management of the facility.

The much-looked-forward-to facility is expected to be the heart and hub for young and old in the community. Building is due to start early next year with a completion date of around July 2005.

The result of a successful partnership between community and Council over the past four years, the facility is expected to be named when the full Council meets on 25 August.

An integrated indoor-outdoor design for the community house and grounds was created with extensive consultation from the community represented by an advisory board.

“Basically we said to the community, ‘What do you want?’ The answer came back clearly that people want a community facility that serves a multitude of purposes – with an indoor-outdoor flow, using natural materials,” says Waitakere Community Board Chairperson Christine Shepherd.

The idea of a community house next door to the Summerland Primary School grew into a model partnership between the community, Council and the Ministry of Education. The Council bought five sites in 2001 adjacent to Summerland Primary School, with nearby linkages to the many walking tracks along the Paramuka Stream and surrounding areas.

As a central meeting place for the community, the new facility will embrace the community’s multi-faceted needs. Prospective features include a large kitchen that will allow for catering and also for cooking demonstrations which may call upon the skills of the strong migrant presence in the area, “Kiwi Culture” classes, a staffed IT Learning Centre, enclosed playground, drop-in lounge, room for groups to meet.

“In this relatively new community, people have welcomed the chance to create a sense of heart, share in each other’s cultures and learn new skills. This is a walking community and the building design with its outdoor flow and park-like feel, is the perfect link to establish networks,” says Mrs Shepherd.

The community facility will be managed by a volunteer management committee. If you are interested, call Project Leader Jo-Anne Inancsi on 836 8000 ext 8558.

ENDS

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