Masterton District Council has put tenders out for four key roles in its $30 million civic facility project, including a structural engineering consultant.
A view of the council-owned recreation centre site, from the northern roundabout. Photo: LDR / Jade Cvetkov
The council voted recently to investigate using council-owned land at and around the Trust House Recreation Centre for the civic facility.
No plans have been prepared for any part of the site, but three publicised sketches show ideas of where the civic centre could be placed.
There has been vocal opposition to the sketches, which show existing facilities may need to be demolished to make way for the civic centre, such as the outdoor pool, indoor five-lane pool, or the War Memorial Stadium.
A protest has been organised at the recreation centre site for 9 April at 3pm to "save our stadium ... and our pools".
It will be the second protest against the council's civic facility plans.
Last June, several hundred residents linked arms around the current town hall in opposition to the council's plans to build a new facility at another location.
Organisers estimated about 1200 people attended.
Some of those who protested last June. Photo: LDR / Wairarapa Times Age / Jade Cvetkov
A Masterton District Council spokesperson said the civic facility architect and members of the project team were talking to subject matter experts about the project.
Chair of the Civic Facility Project Committee councillor Tina Nixon said the roles for which tenders were being sought would add to the expertise provided by already-contracted architect Architectus, fundraiser SGL, and quantity surveyor RPS.
Tender documents have been uploaded to the Government Electronic Tender Service seeking a structural engineering consultant, a mechanical, electrical and hydraulics consultant, a civil engineering consultant, and a fire engineer.
The tenders state the purpose of each role is to find someone with "expertise to execute the design, providing professional, end-to-end services for Masterton's new civic facility".
Documents also state the construction cost would be about $26m.
The balance of the $30.8m budget would be spent on fittings, fixtures, equipment, and consultants.
"The council decided in June, as part of the 2021-31 Long-Term Plan to proceed with the project with at least $4m of external funding," Nixon said.
"We need to get on and make things happen, and these roles will be essential as we move forward.
"As with other roles, we are looking for consultants with a proven track record in projects of this size and preferably experience in the greater Wellington region, including Wairarapa."
The deadline for tenders for the structural engineering consultant and mechanical, electrical and hydraulics consultant is 14 April, with civil and fire engineer tenders required by 22 April.
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