Demo plans put on hold

The Mormon church hierarchy appears to be softening its hardline on the demolition of Hamilton's Church College, placing its resource consent application on hold and promising to engage in more community consultation on the future of the campus.

Letters dispatched to members of the city's Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints (LDS) community last week said the church would not press ahead with the demolition process as it embarked on "an envisioning process" for the campus. It has requested postponement of the Hamilton City Council resource consent hearing, scheduled for January 18, and promises "to delay demolition of the buildings until the initial envisioning process is completed".

"We expect this process will be completed by November 30, 2010," the letter said. Since announcing the planned demolition of the campus buildings, the church has come under pressure to find alternative uses for the school, which closes this month.

Speaking from Vanuatu, LDS Pacific president Tad Callister stressed the "final decision" on the demolition would still be that of the church. "The church is anxious to go the extra mile and to get the input of the community, and all those who may have an interest in the school or the Temple View community itself. We want to do what is best for the church and the community, and exploring some more options will do that."

Mr Callister said other options for retention of one building at the campus "that could serve both the community and the church's needs" would be discussed. Secular members of the community would be considered for the expanded envisioning committee, and the church's representatives on the committee would report back to church leaders in Utah.

The move to more consultation was dictated by Utah church leaders, who wanted it to be "a healing influence in the community, not a divisive influence", Mr Callister said.

He said the Mormon community's strong reaction to the demolition was one of the factors in the decision to go for more consultation. Three significant buildings at the campus could be put to future use; the David O McKay building (housing a gymnasium, auditorium and pool), the Mendenhall library and the Matthew Cowley administration building.

Temple View Heritage Society chairman Robert Cammock welcomed the church's move to consult. "We're where we should've been a year ago."

The society was keen to have a representative on the envisioning committee, and Mr Cammock was encouraged by Mr Callister's "conciliatory approach".

Mr Cammock said the campus should be retained as a special character school, and he felt the door to preventing demolition of the three major buildings was "now well open".

- © Fairfax NZ News