Historic building to reopen after earthquake-strengthening

Waipukarau's Memorial Hall was identified as an Earthquake Prone Building four years ago. PHOTO / supplied

After significant earthquake-proofing work, a historic Central Hawke's Bay building is set to be reopened soon.

In 2013 Waipukurau's Memorial Hall was identified as an Earthquake Prone Building, being below 34 per cent of the New Building Standard.

Since then the building has undergone significant work to bring it up to standard, including earthquake strengthening work to modern build standards which involved demolishing the Q Store and water tower.

As well as fully insulating the hall, and addressing areas of rot, asbestos and ceiling mould/ventilation, new areas were added including seating areas for spectators.

It has also been updated to provide a modern multipurpose venue for the current users and users in the future.

Now, members of the public are invited to celebrate the completion of the upgrades, by witnessing mayor Alex Walker reopen the building at the end of this month.

As well as checking out the improved facility, there will be interactive displays in the hall from Sport Hawke's Bay and the Ruahine Cadets.

The hall was officially opened on Sunday, December 11, 1955 by mayor J McCarthy.

Erected at a cost of about $20,000 "the hall's main purpose was for recreation and happiness".

Over the 60 years since, the hall has played an important role in CHB with many sports events, camps, functions and even a wedding being held there.

In recent years the hall has been the home of many user groups, including the Ruahine Cadets, CHB Trampoline Club, Badminton, Junior Indoor Hockey and many Sport Hawke's Bay activities.

- The public are invited to celebrate the opening of the Memorial Hall on Saturday, July 29, at 10am.