Cromwell Memorial Hall & Events Centre

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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 next step in this project is to bid farewell to the old hall before demolition begins. 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.


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.

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 next step in this project is to bid farewell to the old hall before demolition begins. 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.


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.
  • March 2024

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    Cromwell Memorial Hall project gets approval - CODC media release

    Cromwell Memorial hall project gets green light

    Cromwell hall approved as costs balloon to $46m

    $45.8m Cromwell events centre all go after council decision


  • December 2023

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    Long haul for a community hall (newsroom.co.nz)

  • October 2023

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    Cromwell Events Centre – momentum continues


    Another step forward in the realisation of the new Cromwell Memorial Hall and Events Centre has happened this month with the Building Consent application submitted to Council.

    This now starts the Central Otago District Council’s process to gain approval to construct the facility and ensure it meets all current regulations.

    Jasmax, the architects of the project, are approaching completion of the detailed design phase of the project, following endorsement of the developed design by the Cromwell Community Board at their May meeting. At the same time, work has been continuing with external funders to seek support for the project capital investment.

    The tender process for the physical works (demolition and building) commenced on 18 September when the four shortlisted respondents from the initial registration of interest procurement process were invited to a site briefing by Council’s evaluation team. This team comprised representatives of Council’s property team and external consultants covering architectural and engineering disciplines. At the briefing, the respondents were given a more detailed brief of the project, invited to ask questions, given access to the site to get a feel for the surrounding area of the hall, and had the opportunity to better understand what will be required in their tender responses. Whilst on site it was also a good opportunity for Council to emphasise the need for the contractors to minimise disruption to the neighbouring properties throughout the project. Tenders close on 2 November and will then be evaluated by the team. This tender timeline means that the demolition of the existing hall will now be in early 2024 to give time for the winning tenderer to fully prepare the site prior to work commencement.

    Until the tenders close, Council will be preparing the contract documentation to ensure all legalities are covered and ready for signing by both parties when the winning tender is confirmed. Discussions will continue with the museum to confirm how the relocation of artifacts will be undertaken when the time is right. Plans will be solidified on how the community can say goodbye to the hall before the demolition work starts.

  • August 2023

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    Project Update

    • The final stages of design (detailed design) are scheduled to be complete in August, which keep the project on track.
    • Engagement has begun with potential contractors to build to build the hall, using the approved detailed design, which includes both community and commercial functionality.
    • Prior to demolition of the former Cromwell Memorial Hall, a farewell ceremony will be held. Watch this space for more details on how you can share your stories and memories of the hall.

    In the News

    Cromwell Museum News - Cromwell Bulletin

    Out with the old, in with the new, says RSA - CODC media release

  • July 2023

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    Cromwell: A small town with a big project - CODC media release

    Museum trust, RSA distance themselves from complaint - Otago Daily Times

    Council gives consent to demolish Cromwell hall - CODC media release


  • May 2023

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    Cromwell events centre project advances - CODC media release

    Cromwell hall gets $7 million lifeline via vague land deal | Crux - Local News - Queenstown, Wanaka and Cromwell.

  • March 2023

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    Planned hall showcased with VR | Otago Daily Times Online News (odt.co.nz)

    Public impatient to see community complex built - News - News - The Central App

    Plans for Cromwell's hall of the future come to life | Crux - Local News - Queenstown, Wanaka and Cromwell.


  • September 2022 - New hall another step closer

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    New hall another step closer with move to design phase (13 September)

    The Cromwell community is a step closer to getting a new hall, with multiple paths open to how that journey might progress.

    The Cromwell Community Board yesterday (12 September) approved the concept design for the new Cromwell Memorial Hall/Events Centre presented by consultants and approved the project to move into the design phase.

    The Board noted the estimated costs of $37.89 million presented at the meeting for a turn-key building including contingencies and landscaping.

    CCB Chair Anna Harrison said they Board did not want to be locked into something its community could not afford or deliver but noted there were multiple paths forward including phasing the project, seeking alternate funding through funding agencies, and scaling back the project.

    The Board also approved investigation of salvage and repurpose options for material from within the existing Cromwell Memorial Hall.

    The next steps are applications to funding agencies. Following outcomes of these applications there will be a report back to the Board with the proposal including the options for phasing, reducing the scale, and any request for additional funding.

    The 'Cromwell Memorial Hall and Events Centre - Concept Design' document details the different spaces and the 'key moves' of the concept design. Check it out via the link or in the Key Documents section on the main page.

    Cromwell Hall project concept design to be discussed (7 September)

    The Cromwell Community Board will be meeting on Monday 12 September to consider a report regarding the concept design of the new Cromwell Memorial Hall/Events Centre and to proceed with funding applications.

    This follows the last Board meeting in August when the design scope was presented and approved.

    Funding for the Cromwell Memorial Hall/Events Centre Project was approved in the Long-term Plan 2021-31 (LTP).

    The project was awarded to Jasmax in December 2021, which commenced the design investigation stage in early 2022.

  • June 2022 - Cromwell Memorial Hall to close

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    The Cromwell Memorial Hall is to be closed immediately to enable assessment of the demolition requirements of the building ahead of its removal. This is a key step in the delivery of a new facility on the site as part of the Cromwell Masterplan.

    At the Cromwell Community Board on Tuesday 21 June, members made a decision to close the hall, noting that the monthly running costs for the hall, including electricity and water etc, which were estimated to be about $600, and the July building warrant of fitness cost of $850, now exceeded the revenue the hall was bringing in.

    A demolition date is yet to be set for the hall. The Cromwell Community Board will receive a report regarding demolition when high level costs and concept plans are available.

    Tenants, who were already aware of the imminent closure, had been informed and had already found alternative accommodation for their activities, Central Otago District Council Project Manager – Property Darren Penketh said. This had contributed to the decline in revenue.

    Cromwell Community Hall will close to allow the Council team to get on with the next phase in the complex's redevelopment.

  • May 2022 - Project update

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    At its 29 March meeting the Cromwell Community Board was presented with a report to consider closing the current Cromwell Memorial Hall and the project delivery process for the Cromwell Memorial Hall/Events Centre project.

    After discussion, the Board agreed to put the item on hold until it had a better understanding of what they would be delivering for the community.

    Cromwell Community Board Chair and Project Advisory Group member Anna Harrison said on the Board’s Facebook page that the board is “fully behind the building of a new hall/events centre but would like to see some concept plans and initial costings before the existing hall is closed and demolished”.

    “The intention is not to slow things down. The Board wants to ensure the concept designs tick those boxes of what the community has said it wants and needs from the new hall before we proceed to demolition.”

    While the Board put those decisions on hold, work has been progressing behind the scenes on the investigation phase of the project. Investigations got underway with workshops and meetings in with stakeholders in January and mid-February. These focused on the project vision, objectives, sustainability, resilience, the site, benchmarking, functional and operational requirements for the build.

    Project Manager Darren Penketh said other key pieces of work that have been completed that will inform the design included geotechnical and asbestos reports and input from theatre specialists.

    A visual timeline for the project has also been created to illustrate the stages of the project. It indicates the key milestones along the way where the community can expect to hear from Council with updates. The next step in the process is the delivery of concept design plans, expected in August.

Page last updated: 27 Mar 2024, 11:25 AM