By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Rangiora Bowling Club ex-president Norman Hewett (left), and members Richard King and Rodger Wilton are part of a sub-committee looking at options for the club's future. Photo: LDR/David Hill
A Rangiora sports club is frustrated with the increasing maintenance and insurance costs of its 113-year-old pavilion, which can't be demolished due to its historic importance.
The Rangiora Bowling Club approached the Waimakariri District Council last year for help, but was yet to find a satisfactory solution for the pavilion.
It was registered with Heritage New Zealand and listed in the Waimakariri District Plan, leaving the club with few options.
The club's ex-president Norman Hewett said the pavilion on Good Street, north of the town centre, was unsafe and no longer fit for purpose.
Mr Hewett said the council had been supportive and Heritage New Zealand had offered advice, but no funding.
''Everybody thinks the building is worth preserving, but there is a cost and it shouldn't be put on the bowling club.
''As far as we are concerned it is not fit for purpose and we want to know how we can get round that.
''We want to know what the community thinks and if they want to retain it, are they willing to pay for it?''
The club had formed a sub-committee to explore what options were available.
Sub-committee member Rodger Wilton said the club had been unable to find any record that the club had a say when the building was given heritage status.
The 113-year-old Rangiora Bowling Club pavilion has been recognised by the Waimakariri Landmarks Trust. Photo: LDR/David Hill
Built in 1911, the pavilion served the Rangiora Bowling, Tennis and Croquet Club, which originally shared the site.
It cost 945 pounds and was opened on October 28, 1911.
The three clubs purchased 1.25 acres on the corner of Blackett and Good Streets in April 1905, but later parted company, with tennis and croquet moving to new sites.
While no quotes had been sought, Mr Hewett believed it would cost more than $1 million to bring the pavilion up to code.
Ideally the club would like to demolish the pavilion so it could upgrade its main building and remain on site.
The stairwell was non-compliant and there was no wheel chair access, meaning the club was unable to use the upstairs facilities.
There were loose tiles on the roof which need replacing.
An attached building behind the pavilion was sufficient to meet the needs of the 140 members and for hosting the largest bowls tournament in North Canterbury, Mr Hewett said.
He said the club was open to all options, including a land swap or selling to a developer with the expertise to restore the pavilion.
Waimakariri District Council community and recreation manager Chris Brown said the council was working through various opportunities with the bowling club as part of a feasibility study.
''There are a lot of options to consider. Each have various financial, social and operational implications.''
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga said it had ''expressed support for the adaptive reuse of the building and supported the club's intention to investigate options for the pavilion and the associated land parcel''.
The Rangiora Bowling Club was keen to hear the views of the community. Email rangiorabowling@gmail.com.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.