Feasibility Study St Andrews Presbyterian Church, Te Awamutu
Feasibility Study St Andrews Presbyterian Church, Te Awamutu Community Complex 13 March 2020 1 Executive Summary St Andrews Presbyterian Church in Te Awamutu proposes to build a church and community complex at its site next to the CBD and bordering the Te Awamutu community hub area. St Andrews has been located at the site for many years but in recent years had to demolish the old church because of earthquake standards. The remaining buildings also need strengthening to meet earthquake standards and are no longer fit for purpose. The old St Andrews facilities have clearly been both church and community facilities and have served many generations. They are well used currently by a wide range of community groups and activities despite their current limitations. St Andrews has strong relationships across local communities and has been responsive to community needs locally. Groups using the existing facilities have indicated that they are keen to continue their association with St Andrews and to use the proposed new complex. The proposed complex will include a single building of 1086m2 incorporating an auditorium, seminar room/auditorium extension, hall, commercial kitchen, hub area, youth area, 3 small meeting and counselling rooms, administration area, entrance foyer and 62 on-site carparks, with ample alternative parking nearby. Resource and building consents are already in place. The design is multi-purpose, flexible and highly accessible. The population in Te Awamutu, nearby Kihikihi and surrounding districts is growing rapidly and there is a level of deprivation in Te Awamutu and Kihikihi that means responsive community organisations are particularly important. While there are other venues in Te Awamutu, most are sports-oriented, dated, centred on a bar, limited to 1 or 2 spaces, or suitable for different sized groups.
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