Council to take fresh approach to planning community facilities

Kāpiti Coast District Council is taking a fresh look at how community spaces are planned and provided to make sure they continue to meet the needs of the district’s growing and changing communities.

Council is developing a Community Facilities Network Approach that considers Council-owned halls alongside other community spaces, including clubs, churches, schools and shared venues, to identify the best mix of spaces to support communities now and into the future.

Group Manager Infrastructure and Asset Management Sean Mallon says changing community needs, ageing facilities and the need to make careful use of ratepayer funding mean it's time for a new approach.

"Community halls and facilities play an important role in bringing people together. But like many community buildings across New Zealand, our facilities are ageing and will require increasing investment over time. Before making long-term decisions, we want to understand what our communities need and how those needs can best be met.

"Looking beyond Council-owned facilities opens up more opportunities through partnerships, shared spaces and better use of existing community facilities. It doesn't have to be Council and ratepayers alone providing these spaces.

"We're moving the conversation from 'what should we do with this building?' to 'what outcome are we trying to achieve, and what's the best way to achieve it?'"

The project will gather insights from communities, facility users and organisations to understand how spaces are used, where gaps exist and where there might be opportunities for partnership. The findings will provide Council with an evidence-based framework for fair, transparent and consistent decision-making.

Waikanae will be the first community to test the approach, reflecting local interest in the future of the Waikanae Beach Community Hall and the opening of Te Ara Whetū, the new library hub for Waikanae, which includes new community spaces.

While this work is underway, the Waikanae Beach Community Hall will temporarily close from 31 August. Council is working with regular users to relocate activities within Waikanae and has also been exploring what other venues are already offered in Waikanae Beach.

Mr Mallon says no decisions have been made about the hall's long-term future.

"We know the hall has served the community for many years, but we've consistently heard from regular users, and seen through our own assessments, that it's no longer fit for purpose. The hall has a range of significant issues that will require substantial investment.

"It makes good economic sense to pause its operation and any further investment while we assess the role it plays alongside other Waikanae venues. This will help Council make an informed and fair decision about its future."

Council expects to identify a preferred way forward for Waikanae by June 2027, including a decision on the future of the Waikanae Beach Community Hall. The Community Facilities Network Approach will then be rolled out across the rest of the district throughout 2027.