Cherry Park House Kerikeri hall hit by repeated burglaries and flooding

ArtCraft Society Kerikeri chairwoman Jeannette Klomp says the Cherry Park House building is regularly flooded and ransacked by opportunist thieves. Photo / Jenny Ling

A community of Far North artists is frustrated its building is regularly burgled and flooded and is calling for action to address the long- standing issues.

ArtCraft Society Kerikeri chairwoman Jeannette Klomp said Cherry Park House on Landing Rd - a council hall dedicated to community groups - was often broken into and ransacked.

A lack of maintenance also meant the basement studio, where painters and potters created and stored their work, flooded during storms, she said.

“Upstairs is dry but we get flooded with heavy rain, because the drainage is not properly done.

“The situation has been like this for years.

“It’s a wonderful spot, but we have to abandon it if no one is doing anything about it. I can’t sleep when it rains heavily.”

Far North District Council said flooding was linked to the building’s riverside location and existing damage, and it planned to discuss security improvements with the hall committee.

The council-owned building was home to arts and creative groups, including painters, potters, textile artists and yoga and meditation groups.

It was one of 27 community centres and halls available for public use, each managed by a hall committee.

Klomp said nothing had happened despite the ArtCraft group’s repeated requests to fix the drainage.

The committee had complained to the council several times about poor maintenance and thefts, she said.

The building was broken into again last month, when a pump, new vacuum cleaner and trolley jack lift were stolen.

“It’s supposed to be a fun club, but there is only frustration,” Klomp said.

“We’re stuck with same problem year after year.”

The council has confirmed five service requests have been received over the past five years, relating to flooding at Cherry Park House.

Retiring committee chairman Richard Lawty said the problem was frustrating and expensive.

“It’s an isolated building, it attracts people with nothing else to do but break things.

“They do come in and steal anything of value ... they usually come in and force doors and cupboards open.”

Lawty also wants improved security.

“Exactly what that means I don’t know.

“We’ve trimmed itdown so there’s no real valuables in there. It’s hard to say what we should do next.”

FNDC delivery and operations group manager Hilary Sumpter said the facility’s location made it vulnerable to break-ins and flooding.

Sumpter said flooding was an ongoing issue because of a damaged downpipe and the buildings’ close proximity to Waipapa River, known to flood.

She said an investigation found the water in the basement was caused by flooding from the river.

Staff will meet the new hall committee chair in the coming weeks to discuss what else can be done to address security concerns, she said.

Jenny Ling is a senior journalist at the Northern Advocate. She has a special interest in covering human interest stories, along with finance, roading, and social issues.