Band rotunda to be repaired
22 May 2019
Te Awamutu's historic band rotunda in Victoria Park is to be repaired and refurbished.
Waipa District Council has agreed to repair the rotunda which was originally built is 1911 and is classified as a category two heritage structure by Heritage New Zealand.
The rotunda, next to the Te Awamutu Primary School, has been closed for the past 12 months because of concerns about safety. It is currently fenced and inaccessible to the public.
Yesterday councillors agreed to spend up to $90,000 plus GST to repair the structure with the money to be loan-funded. Repairs will be needed to all six concrete pillars as well as the hexagonal shaped floor and domed roof.
Councillors discounted demolishing the structure, partially due to cost. Because of its heritage status, a resource consent would be required to allow demolition. The consent would have required a report from a heritage expert, consultation with Heritage New Zealand and wider community engagement. Staff advised that, overall, the costs to demolish the band rotunda would have been comparable to repairing it.
Staff will now seek formal quotes for the repairs. They have already noted the work is specialised because of the structure's heritage status and contractors may take longer to secure.
Around 100 band rotundas were built across New Zealand between the 1880s and 1930s. Like others, Te Awamutu's rotunda hosted bands and musical performances and was also used for public speeches, performances and public events.
Photo caption: Te Awamutu's band rotunda was built in 1911 and is set for major repairs