New facilities for old Raglan arts centre

Construction began this week on a new $200,000 ancillary services building at the Raglan Old School Arts Centre.

The additions to the centre's 19th century heritage buildings in Stewart St will add a further 60 per cent to the floor area, and provide a "wet art" room for activities involving painting and dyeing, more storage and an upgraded kitchen and catering facilities.

The Old School Arts Centre is run by the Raglan Community Arts Council which acts as an umbrella organisation for groups and individuals involved in art and craft.

Arts council spokesman Rodger Gallagher said it was "uplifting and exciting" to have a community building project starting in Raglan given the town's recent setback with the wharf fire, and slow progress on a new museum.

Mr Gallagher said construction was originally planned for last year, but delayed after Waikato District Council planners zoned the Raglan Old School reserve as a living zone instead of for community use.

That meant going through a resource consent process which added thousands to the cost, though Mr Gallagher acknowledged the work deputy mayor Clint Baddeley had done in subsequently facilitating the project.

"It is great that now all the paperwork is complete we are able to proceed with construction," he said.

Core funding has come from the St Lazarus Trust. The project has also been supported by Raglan Lions Club, the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board and the Logan Campbell Estate.

Mr Gallagher said thanks were also due to the Raglan Community Board and Waikato District Council for approving the 25-year lease at a peppercorn rental.

Raglan builders D & L Shilton were selected by the arts council from a shortlist who quoted for the project last year.

- © Fairfax NZ News