The fate and future of the hall has been in almost endless discussion over recent years, but matters look like coming to a head.
The RRA committee look close to making some decisions, and they are asking for feedback with a very tight timeline. I thought I’d help out by canvassing the community about what they want from public facilities, and encourage a bit of discussion.
We are told that saving the existing hall, library, and gallery / art space is not a feasible option, so now is a critical point to have your say.
In the past few years, here’s what the facilities have been used for:
*Wedding Venue
*Parties & Celebrations
*Library
*Art Exhibitions
*Studio space for artists
*Venue for visiting musicians
*Hang out area for the kids and other table tennis fanatics
*Community meetings
*Theatrical plays
*Shelter from the storm whilst waiting for the ferry
*Storage for crappy old furniture
It has been suggested that, due to budget constrictions, a new building could not have the same footprint, and that a dedicated library and art space would not be possible.
There are an increasing number of people visiting the island, so any talk of a smaller venue is foolish. We need to plan for the future, not ten years ago.
The council seems to be prepared to cough up around $300,000.
It must be noted that a show of hands at the RRA meeting showed strong support for the construction of a new building, because it was presented as a fait accompli.
Currently, the hall has a usable space of around 50 square meters, which is marginal as far as a functioning venue is concerned. The current proposal by the RRA committee involves demolishing the existing hall and replacing it with a turning circle for SUVs. The new building would replace the existing loos which is an additional zero meters above sea level compared to its current location.
Here’s an online survey for you to have your say. Log in and check the boxes for what you’d like to see from new community facilities, also please comment on this. I must stress this survey is not on behalf of the RRA, it’s informal but hopefully useful. The results will be passed onto the RRA committee. You have 3 weeks, so get amongst it! You’ll need to log in to vote.
I would encourage you to have a read through this first.. https://www.rakino.org.nz/2021/02/15/rakino-hall-future-options/
Author: Simon
Part-time rock dweller
I would demolish the toilets, and move the hall to that vacated area, leaving the art space and Library where they currently are. The kitchen area could be demolished also and replaced by a concrete pad with the back room of the gallery that currently sits above it held up by pilotis. A new kitchen area could be added onto the side on the relocated hall; it needn’t be large or fancy, basically a sink and cupboard/shelf area is required so cups/wine glasses can be washed and stored.
Looking at this below from a Waiheke Local Board Meeting in 2018, it would appear to be a viable proposition.
27. Two separate asset assessments were prepared for the hall and associated coastal assets. The hall assessment noted that while there were some repairs required, overall the building was in reasonable condition and should be fit for purpose for many years if properly maintained.
28. The hall assessment noted that the building is poorly located and suffers from sea action particularly during south-westerly storms. It recommended investigating a number of options including additional sea wall protection, relocation and raising the building on site, demolishing the existing building and constructing a new purpose built facility off-site.
I am concerned that demolition/removal and the construction a new, smaller building is being presented as a fait accompli without supporting documented evidence. We are ‘told’ that this is the only option, without being anything that is written documentation from official channels. Costings are wishy-washy, and we have also learned that hall maintenance has not been happening according to schedule over the last few years. Why was a council representative investigating the hall complex for asbestos in January? Who organised this? It’s unlikely the council did it off their own bat…
If a new building must be constructed, building a smaller hall space is a very bad idea. There will only be more people coming to Rakino to holiday, or even live, and it’s foolish to build for ten years past, instead of the future. Given we have not been given any indications as to footprint, other than that it would be one level and spaces would have to be shared, this is a really difficult option to comment on. The 50sqm of functional space that the current hall has is barely adequate, so anything smaller is pointless, unless we could have a generous covered outdoor space.
I appreciate that many members of the community don’t attend entertainment that is held at the facilities, but equally, many members of the community are interested in workshops/music events/gallery events, etc. These events also serve as community get togethers, and generally benefit everyone. The possibility of a reduced space or non-existent space will seriously curtail these activities.
A new building needs to be a minimum space of 80 sqm, especially if we have to all share the space cooperatively. This would be a fit space for weddings/parties/bands, and if we could have some built ‘furniture’ for art show use, such as plinths or folding screens it could be workable. I strongly oppose downsizing the library to a book cupboard. It is used frequently by permanents and bach owners, so a better solution needs to be found. I’d also like to see some of the aspects of the old hall kept or re-purposed if possible, for example, the hall windows which featured so beautifully in the fabulous photos that many people took at the Anthonie Tonnon show, as well as the excellent acoustics and power system.
I don’t think that a large turning circle for vehicles at the ferry terminal is more important than our community facilities. This flies in the face of Auckland Council ideology with regards to cars. I would rather see people opt to walk an extra 30m or so with their gear on the few times a year when the ferry is packed to the gunwhales than bowl the community buildings because they are in the way of someone’s sports utility vehicle’s ability to turn comfortably.
I think that the Hall should stay where it is and be maintained by the Auckland Council and possibly some crowd funding by some of the Islands rate payers and renters.
Surely the hundreds of us who use the hall can make a contribution.
What about an added levy to the RRA’s annual levy where the revenue is held specifically for maintenance.
I don’t agree with letting Council off the hook, pardon the pun.
My thoughts are basically that moving the existing hall would maintain existing facilities as well as some quirky old buildings, at a price we can actually get out of the council.
https://www.rakino.org.nz/2021/04/28/my-view-on-the-hall/
A club bar would be swell in addition to the features our current hall already has to provide a communal adult space which is neutral.
I’d only support a rebuild if it provided everything the old one does and had something aesthetically and acoustically magic about it. Absurdistan in the Kaipara has one of the finest community halls on the country, imo.
My thoughts on the Rakino Hall.
I love the location of the current hall – it is picturesque with a killer view that completely sums up what Rakino is for me. I also love the fact that it is beside the wharf, which is the natural social hub of the island. Everyone goes there to catch ferries, get mail, and pick up or drop off people on a regular basis. It brings everyone on the island into the same space regularly, so we all run into each other on an informal basis. That’s great for community and neighbourliness – don’t underate that value. A hall located elsewhere on the island will never do that.
Design
I know it is a bit limited in size and costly to maintain, but I personally have a soft spot for the current design. It is old school, like stepping back in time 60 years – which is what I think a lot of people really like about Rakino. But I also accept that there are huge issues with its vulnerability to storm surge and ongoing maintenance that need to be solved.
Capacity
More capacity (maybe just a bit larger) would be great if we could get it, but when I think about it, what is it we want to do, that we can’t do at the moment? I wouldn’t want it any smaller though.
Kitchen
I haven’t used it a lot, but I do think it is important to have a minimum capability for tea and coffee etc, especially for social & community functions.
Library
I suspect if you ask around, a lot more people use and appreciate the library than we might initially think. My guess is that relegating it to a small corner in a new design will piss quite a few people off.
Art needs
Not sure we need to provide a place for artists to work, but the gallery space does provide an extra venue to bring the community together for events and social interaction.
Event needs
The current hall provides for meetings, concerts, parties, weddings & community social events. These are the basic needs any community hall needs to be able to accommodate and are essential in my opinion.
Mail Area
I don’t personally use it, but I do think it is vital for permanent residents – and it adds to the community buzz/social hub where everyone meets everyone else regularly. And it is always going to need to be located close to the wharf.
Ferry Covered waiting
Again essential, especially in winter.
A new replacement hall
I have nothing in theory against a new replacement hall – as long as it manages to maintain most of the above attributes and functions. My concern with the stuff I have seen so far about a new hall is it is so vague we don’t really have a clue about what is being suggested. It could just be a glorified skyline garage? In which case I’d prefer the existing structure.
So yes, lets develop more detailed plans and a realistic budget for a replacement that keeps the functions of the old hall. Then at least we can make an informed choice about our options.
I notice that there seems to be a very recent (21 April 2021) Waiheke Local Board report that indicates the Board may be considering other alternatives
https://www.rakino.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/LB-Update-Rakino-Community-Hall-Options.pdf
It seems to imply that the Waiheke Board might consider raising the existing Hall where it is and upping the ante to 450k to do it. If that is the case then I guess that raises a couple of questions;
• Would that be enough to do the job, and once they were committed would they pony up the extra if it did actually cost more? If a Board has pledged to do something, do they just absorb any cost overruns – which would be good in my book?
• Would they allocate the same amount to build a new replacement structure – and what would we get for that amount?
I think we should also investigate just what the Waiheke Board intends.
Mark McNeill
Thoughts on Rakino Hall
Does Rakino Island need a hall/
The present hall has become a focal point for the community, it fulfils a number of different needs and functions.
• It is a meeting place for the ratepayers association, fire training, environmental education and also as a polling booth.
• It is a social gathering point, indoor games for children during inclement weather, community viewing of sports events and a gathering place for retirees.
• It provides a venue for music events, Rakino has been fortunate enough to have attracted some exceptional artists who have played there.
• Apart from the main hall with its attached kitchen there is also a well stocked library with books provided by the Auckland Council library service. This is used by the full time residents as well as the weekenders.
• There is a storage facility which houses the fire firefighting equipment and has also been used to store chemicals for Ramnuss eradication which is made available to all residents.
• Upstairs there is an art room and gallery. This serves as a place to do art as well as display it and has seen many popular art functions.
• There is a mail lobby for the residents mail boxes, this was a huge upgrade on the previous often abandoned mail sack.
All these facilities combine to provide a very valuable resource. The hall also has a historic component and has played an important part in Rakino island life.
Its current location is no longer suitable, damage from storm surges ahs been repaired but these are likely to become more frequent. The hall needs a new location or replacement in a new location.
Moving a short distance up the road is a possibility with an increased building height from the ground.
A replacement building seems a good option however there are a number of reasons why this might not be a preferred option. A new building would be required to comply with modern building regulations, a like for like replacement would be an expensive option that is unlikely to be funded. A reduced size building would work of course however a reduced size comes with reduced facilities. A simple hall might be easily filled up with all the cupboards etc. required to keep everyone happy. A small library cupboard seems an unlikely option and would probably full in to disuse. Ther would likely not be space for things like couches or table tennis tables and certainly no room for an art room.
The new building would lose the historic connection with the islands past. History is part of what makes a community and the reason Rakino works is very much around it’s community feel.
The present building is something for everyone and fulfils many needs, a new building would be a reduced facility unless substantial funding could be found. The present Rakino building fits in a unique position as a building that the council recognises that has been upgraded and cared for by the community with little council input. A new building, if in council ownership is unlikely to have the same degree of accessibility to the community and would most likely follow a stricter form of control. Charging for casual community events would likely see a reduction of their frequency.
It might be valuable to add “residents mail room” to the survey on hall use.
You’re right… it was completely overlooked by us. I’ll see if it can be added after the fact. 🙂