A call from the community has led to Waipā District Council lighting two well-loved historical structures in Cambridge, in support of the Ukraine Crisis.
The Cambridge Town Hall and Clock Tower were lit with blue and yellow in solidarity with the people of Ukraine on Wednesday 23 March.
The request initially came to Council from a Cambridge High School head student along with support from the Cambridge Community Board and Cambridge Chamber of Commerce. Local supplier, Steen & Morrow Electrical actioned the bulb and filter changes. The assets will stay lit every evening for approximately two weeks.
“We were proud to be part of this initiative and show our support for Ukraine,” Waipā District Council Deputy Chief Executive Ken Morris said.
Meanwhile, a set of guidelines and criteria for lighting the exteriors of the 113-year-old Cambridge Town Hall and 88-year-old Cambridge Town Clock Tower were given the green light by councillors at Tuesday’s Council meeting.
This comes after the Cambridge Community Board recently agreed to new regulations for lighting the exteriors of the two Council assets.
The guidelines will now be taken to the Te Awamutu Community Board for its approval of lighting Te Awamutu buildings on specific occasions.
Morris said in recent years Council had received a number of requests from local and national charities to light up the historical structures, however to date there had not been a set of guidelines to adhere to for these requests.
“This has prompted a review of the process and creating a new process for applications to light up our historic structures.”
Many more requests have been anticipated and the guideline would ensure this was managed efficiently and with ease, he said.
The lighting of the Cambridge Town Hall and Clock Tower are available to be booked by community groups and charities that are able to meet the cost of the works, submit the appropriate application and meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Charities or community initiatives that Waipā District Council supports through funding or strategic partnerships
- To mark a special national event, milestone or celebration
- For a particular Council run or partnered event
- As a symbol of respect of solidarity with other global landmarks following guidance from central government
Some preferential dates for lighting of the assets including Waitangi Day (6 February); Anzac Day (25 April); Easter; Matariki; Bastille Day (14 July); Le Quesnoy Liberation Day 4 November; Armistice Day (11 November); and Christmas (25 December).
Applications ideally would be received at least four to six weeks in advance of the date required and Council has the right to decline any application based on these guidelines, Morris said.
Further work is also underway to create guidelines for lighting up other Council-owned buildings in the district, based on councillors request at the meeting.
For more information visit: https://www.waipadc.govt.nz/your-waipa/ourfacilities/lighting-of-cambridge-town-hall-and-clock-tower
