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.
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.