The Heretaunga Women's Centre at the Hastings Women's Rest building will re-open on Monday after a major renovation.
The Women's Rest was a building many local women would remember fondly, but the interior was dark, cold and worn, Heretaunga Women's Centre Society chairwoman Genevieve Beech said. The building has been transformed by opening up internal rooms and creating new reception, office and kitchen spaces. It has fit-for-purpose heating, lighting and furnishings.
The Women's Rest is a category 1 heritage building. It opened in 1921 and was the first purpose-built women's rest rooms in Australasia.
The Hastings District Council, the women's centre, and many community organisations came together to support the upgrade.