Holmes Garage
Te Awamutu’s Holmes Garage community space project is in doubt.
If the garage is knocked down, the power pole will stick out like a sore thumb. Photo: Jesse Wood
It was the subject of one of the questions at last Thursday’s meet the mayoral candidates session hosted by the Te Awamutu Business Chamber.
The Mahoe St building, which dates back to 1938, was bought by Waipā District Council as part of the original plan to develop the Te Ara Wai Museum space next to the Te Awamutu Library.
Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan the building was on the Hazardous Activities and Industries List, and the site was contaminated from its previous use.
“There are obvious big question marks hanging over that site now in the landscape of a really constrained financial environment.”
Three years ago, a Te Awamutu and Kihikihi Community Board-Te Awamutu Business Chamber initiative, the Who Are We Te Awamutu survey, revealed a desire for more community spaces.
A proposal to consider the council-owned Mahoe St premises for indoor markets and covered community events was presented to the community board at its May 2023 meeting.
The idea was to create a link between the CBD and Selwyn Park, doubling as a multipurpose community asset and an entrance to the park that acknowledged the cultural and historic significance of the site.
In August 2023, the council’s finance and corporate committee considered a recommendation from the community board about creating the community space.
It was suggested that community board chair Ange Holt and chamber chief executive Shane Walsh look at the possibility of private funding for the project as it was not in the Long Term Plan for council funding, so it was not worth looking at in the short term.
Walsh said that in a report to the district authority, council staff recommended the building be demolished and the area paved. In December 2023, the work was postponed.
O’Regan said the opportunity could arise for the council to sell the Bunnings site and revert to the former Holmes Garage for Te Ara Wai.
“We have to acknowledge the enthusiasm, effort, energy and passion put into the thinking behind the Holmes project by the chamber,” O’Regan said.
“I think it’s really admirable and exciting to see thinking about projects that could have really good economic development outcomes for Te Awamutu. Big thumbs up.
“That site is quite complex and it’s not yet clear what it’s use will be for the council going forward on account of that Te Ara Wai question mark.
Walsh said both buildings were bought for the purpose of Te Ara Wai, but the realisation has never been close.
“The council staff’s plan of knocking down Holmes Garage and building a pathway would disturb the soil,” Walsh said. “Dealing with a contaminated site, it would make more sense to use the existing structure and keep the ground sealed.
Te Awamutu Business Chamber chief executive Shane Walsh (from left) with Waipā mayoral candidates Clare St Pierre, Susan O’Regan and Mike Pettit. Photo: Jesse Wood
