Million dollar revamp for Oropi Hall

Oropi Hall is set to undergo a $1.8 million upgrade.

Plans to redevelop the hall, which was built about 60 years ago, are one step closer after hall committee members presented an initial proposal to Western Bay District Council.

Resource consent is set to be accepted next week.

Oropi Settlers Incorporation chairman Mark Dean said the redevelopment would see the hall double in size from 450sq/m to about 950sq/m.

"The hall was built in 1953 and it's in a really beautiful condition for a building of that age but we have such a large number of community groups and people who use this that an upgrade is vital,'' he said.

"The way it is at the moment, only one group can use it at a time so if a group is in the hall and another group wants to have a meeting in the supper room, there's only one entrance and they have to walk through the space, so it's not ideal.''

The redevelopment will include an extended playgroup area, a multi- purpose/fitness room, a meeting space and two
squash courts. The parking area and surrounding landscape will be improved.

"It will serve the whole community,'' Mr Dean said.

Committee members have been planning the major development for more than 18 months.

The group has discussed the proposal with the community and presented the proposal to the Council.

As soon as the resource consent is granted, the committee will throw all of their efforts into fundraising. And when enough money is raised, building will begin.

"There's an awful lot of support from the community for this ... and personally, I am really keen to see things ticking
along. I think this will be a really good change for the community, but this won't just serve Oropi, it will serve the wider
community.''