Whanganui District Council is asking for feedback from the Whanganui community on the restoration of the Upokongaro War Memorial Hall. The hall requires significant repairs – including a complete electrical and plumbing upgrade – and maintenance in order for it to be occupied.
A letter containing survey questions on the restoration of the Upokongaro War Memorial Hall, its possible future uses, and if a public toilet should be installed in Upokongaro has been sent to Upokongaro residents.
An online survey with the same questions is also open to all Whanganui residents.
The survey closed at midnight on Monday, 31 August 2020.
Background
The Upokongaro War Memorial Hall holds both historical and cultural value and has played an important part in Whanganui’s history since its construction by local hotelier John Kennedy in 1881. The original role of the building was a Māori Land Court in addition to a venue for concerts and fundraising events. The land was gifted from James Todd to Wanganui County Council in 1950 without any specific purpose.
In 1952 the present façade, which was designed by architect RG Talboys, was added to the building as part of a scheme to create more practical war memorials than had occurred previously. Accordingly the hall was rededicated as the Upokongaro War Memorial Hall.
In 2010 Whanganui District Council created the Wanganui District Rural Community Halls Trust to transfer ownership of seven rural halls from the Council to the Trust. The Council continues to pay an annual fee to the Rural Halls Trust to cover the cost of compliance and maintenance of the six remaining halls.
At the time the Upokongaro community advised the Council they no longer required the hall, preferring instead to use the hall at Horrocks Park on Kaiwhaiki Road. As a result the Upokongaro War Memorial Hall was not included in the Rural Halls Trust and maintenance ceased. Since then the hall has largely been underused and is currently untenanted.