The buildings was used by two community groups and often used by rough sleepers. Photo: Torika Tokalau / LDR
A much-loved community hall in south Auckland will be torn down after extensive mould contamination was found.
Tadmor House and Hall, on Great South Rd in Manurewa, has been closed to the public since last year due to its deterioration.
The space, at Tadmor Park, was used by the Manurewa Senior Citizens Club since the 1960s, for social activities and meetings.
After concerns of the buildings' condition, the Manurewa Local Board looked into an assessment about its future.
Presenting to the local board on Thursday, Auckland Council's parks and committee said the only feasible option was to deconstruct.
Local Board member Joseph Allan asked if there was anything that could be done to save the hall, "because that's been a big part of the community for a lot of years".
Parks and Community Facilities manager area operations Alex Overwater-Davis said following their assessment, they found high levels of mould in the building.
"In terms of recovering the building, as is, we don't see that as physically feasible given the fact that there's a lot of material contamination," Overwater-Davis said.
He said if they renewed, a vast majority of materials would be beyond salvageable and removed anyway.
A renewal would cost at least $750,000.
Tadmor Hall and House in Manurewa has been closed since last year due to health and safety reasons. Photo: Torika Tokalau / LDR
"So we get to the stage where effectively, it's cheaper to demolish or de-construct, and rebuild, than it is to try and salvage."
The assessment report noted numerous remediation issues, including widespread mould and fungal growth, resulting in concerning interior air quality and serious building deterioration.
The house was considered dilapidated beyond economical repair or remediation, the report stated.
Overwater-Davis said because of the creek nearby, and the large canopy of trees, it limited the amount of sunlight the buildings could get to remove moisture which contributed to mould growth.
"Any building that will go there, will suffer from the same environmental impacts."
According to council, the two parcels of land that compromise Tadmor Park where the house and hall were located, was gifted to the Borough of Manurewa in 1960 by Annie Barrett.
Tadmor House was gifted with the land, and the hall was built later in 1969. The buildings did not have heritage status.
Tadmor was also used by a church group on weekends, and hasn't been used as a venue for hire for at least five years.
Local Board chair Matt Winiata said nobody liked losing facilities and Manurewa didn't have enough quality facilities available for public use.
"I'd like to request an urgent process to be agreed with the board, to bring the vacant former health centre at 7 Hill Rd into service so that residents and groups have access to central bookable spaces and leasing opportunities."
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.