Cromwell Memorial Hall & Events Centre

The Cromwell community is taking a bold step and looking to the future by investing in an asset that will meet the needs of the community now and into the future. The Cromwell Memorial Hall and Events Centre will be a place that respects its Memorial status while providing a modern, contemporary space for all of the community and visitors to feel welcome.

Throughout all design phases there has been lots of discussion and consultation with the external stakeholder group which is made up of representatives from the Cromwell Town and Country Club, Cromwell Museum, Cromwell Cultural Centre Trust, Cromwell RSA, Old Cromwell Inc. and Fine Thyme Theatre. There has also been regular check-ins and discussion with the Project Advisory Group.

We have been partnering with Aukaha, the consultancy company for Kāi Tahu, to confirm the key values of this work for mana whenua and to refine the cultural conceptual overlay for the design phases with Jasmax and Council.

With this stakeholder involvement and expert advice, the Jasmax consultancy team have been able to find clever and efficient design outcomes that represent the best functionality and size of the spaces within the building. The building will cater for both our community needs and commercial uses, and ensure we get the most out of the facility.

Plans for this project have progressed from concept design (broad parameters of the project are established) to developed design (final design is shaped) and then to detailed design (high level of detail is reached with contractor specifications). Even though this design work has been largely out of sight from the public, there has been a lot going on behind the scenes to reach the current stage. A clear sign that the project is progressing was the appointment by Council on 29 February 2024 of Naylor Love as the construction partner and Jasmax as the construction project manager. This project will be the most significant and ambitious capital project ever undertaken by Central Otago District Council (CODC). The old hall has had a fitting farewell and demolition has now begun. Once demolition is complete, the new facility will take about two years to complete.

Keeping you up to date

We want to keep you informed each step of the way. This page will be regularly updated with project milestones, decisions, timelines and with any opportunities for you to get involved. Have a look at the project updates section below for the latest details.

How it all began

If you would like a refresher on how this exciting project came about for the community, have a look at the Cromwell Masterplan information in the project updates below. It covers:

Cromwell Masterplan and Let's Talk Options community engagement.
Cromwell Masterplan Spatial Framework.
Long-term Plan 2021-2031 community consultation on how to progress the arts, culture and heritage precinct.

Cromwell Masterplan and Spatial Framework

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2018 - Cromwell Masterplan engagement
The engagement document 'Let's Talk Options' summarised the Masterplan options that were developed by the Masterplan Team with three key work streams: managing growth, improving the town centre and civic facilities, and resolving the future of the Memorial Hall and Heritage Precinct.
The Masterplan Options Survey Analysis report summarises what the community thought of the options presented in the Let's Talk Options engagement document.
These results have formed the basis of the development of the Cromwell Memorial Hall.
2019 - Cromwell Masterplan Spatial Framework
The Cromwell Community Board adopted Stage 1 of the Cromwell 'Eye to the Future' Masterplan (the Masterplan) in May 2019.
Stage 1 is the Spatial Plan that provides a coordinated approach to growth management for Cromwell over the next 30 years.
The framework reflects the community's preferred option of growth focused within Cromwell and includes residential zones at a number of densities, increased housing options and amenity through more intensified development within the walkable distance from the town centre, design guidelines for subdivision and residential development, provisions to support greenway retention and development and increased industrial opportunities.
These initiatives will be delivered through a series of changes to the Central Otago District Plan. The community will once again have an opportunity to submit to any or all of the plan changes.
The next stages of the Masterplan are the Town Centre Precinct and the Arts and Culture Precinct, which include a number of significant capital projects. Before the Community Board can consider adopting the next stages further financial modelling of options is required to understand affordability, timing and funding options. The community will have an opportunity to have a say on funding options and how their rates will be impacted through the Long-term Plan (2021-2031) process.
2021 - Long-term Plan 2021-2031 community consultation
The Cromwell Masterplan and options for how to progress the town centre and the arts, culture and heritage precinct projects were the big-ticket items in the Long-term Plan consultation.
Sixty percent of submitters to the Long-term Plan consultation process were from the Cromwell Ward. The Cromwell Community Board had a full day listening to more than 60 submitters who wished to speak in support of their submissions. The Board was thankful for how passionate and engaged its community continues to be in the Cromwell Masterplan process. Three key things came through loud and clear through verbal and written submissions related to the Arts, Culture and Heritage Precinct projects:
1. that the community wants a hall/events centre that caters for both future growth and future opportunities, and the size needs to be appropriate to achieve this goal;
2. that options for construction, operation and ownership of this facility need to be explored – with a call for a trust to take it over; and
3. that we need to get on with it.
This strong community voice was heard by community board members and councillors, and is reflected in the decisions. Council agreed to the recommendations from the Cromwell Community Board relating to the Arts, Culture and Heritage Precinct projects that it proceed with the preferred option for the hall/events centre and the museum as set out in the consultation document. The Board recommended Council acknowledge the size of the hall/event centre can change as necessary once further planning and detailed design work has been undertaken to understand the needs, growth and further opportunities for Cromwell and district. This work will also explore options for construction, operation and ownership of the facility.