Whakatāne District has an abundance of amazing spaces and places that our communities enjoy in a heap of different ways.
Demands on these spaces and places are evolving from users of the whenua / land and facilities for sporting, community, social, and cultural activities and events as individuals and in groups large and small.
Mā koutou, Mā Tātau brings exciting opportunities to have input into the way we plan for the future of open and recreational spaces. The project incorporates two streams of work – the development of the Open Places Strategy, and the Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub Master Plan.
Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub Master Plan
We want to create community spaces where people can come together to do the things they love. Sport - recreation - arts - culture - events - wellbeing
Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub, which includes Whakatāne War Memorial Hall, Rex Morpeth Park, Rugby Park, Whakatāne Aquatic and Fitness Centre, Whakatāne Arts and Craft Centre and a number of sports clubs, is one of the Whakatāne District’s most loved and used community assets. The Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub is used by many people in our communities, as well as those from outside the district. Whakatāne War Memorial Hall is particularly important as it’s the district’s primary indoor sports court space, event and function venue, theatre and civil defence facility. While the Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub has served us well, significant maintenance and upgrades are now required to meet health and safety standards, meet existing and growing demands for indoor court and events space and to generate economic benefits for the wider district.
What's happened so far
This is not a new project
The redevelopment of the Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub is not a new project. Over the past decade, our communities voiced their support for a financial commitment to upgrade Whakatāne War Memorial Hall. In addition, improvements to the broader recreation precinct (Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub) were included in the most recent (2021-2031) Long Term Plan budget. We are now at a stage where these commitments must be delivered on to keep the facilities and hub open and functioning safely.
Initial master plan scoping
Last year, master plan options for the Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub were shaped through input from key user groups and released for community feedback. Following extensive conversations with Whakatāne District communities, a detailed analysis was carried out. The analysis considered community feedback, functionality, accessibility, flexibility, community need and income opportunities. While no master plan was agreed to, approximate costings were identified for redevelopment options.
Long Term Plan consultation
The Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub redevelopment project was one of the four key questions we consulted on earlier this year as part of our Long Term Plan (LTP) 2024-34. Public feedback was sought on the scale, timing and funding of the project. The proposal consulted on was for the redevelopment of the Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub which includes:
- A multi-purpose facility with significant upgrades to Whakatāne War Memorial Hall, including the Little Theatre
- A sports pavilion to replace the existing Rugby Park grandstand
- An accessibility-friendly playground
- Increased carparking space
- Other required improvements over the Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub area.
Long Term Plan 2024-2034 decisions
In August, Council adopted the Long Term Plan 2024-34. Here's what was decided in relation to the Rex Moreth Recreation Hub:
- Health and safety improvements prioritised
A key decision on the Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub made through the Long Term Plan includes the prioritisation of health and safety improvement works and works to enhance user experience over the next four years for Whakatāne War Memorial Hall and Rugby Park.
Physical works focusing on addressing health and safety issues and improving functionally are underway. Works completed to date include the following:
- Full roof replacement over the reception area, including the roof over the Little Theatre lighting control area
- Asbestos removal from the stadium bathrooms and foyer
- New energy efficient stadium lighting assisted by a grant from Trust Horizon
- Replacement of damaged ceiling tiles in the reception area
Planning is underway for future works for the remainder of the 2024-25 year, and the following three years. Items in the pipeline include health and safety and functional improvements within the Little Theatre, making the Whakatāne War Memorial Hall watertight, lighting improvements at Rugby Park, and entrance improvements from Domain Road into Rugby Park.
- Finalisation of Master Plan
Also included in the Long Term Plan adoption is the finalisation of a Master Plan and External Funding Plan for the redevelopment of the Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub.
Up to $7.8 million has been allocated for the health and safety improvements, the finalisation of the master plan and the development of external funding plan.
While we have Master Plan options, there’s still more work to be done before a plan is finalised.
Our aim is to develop a coherent master plan that considers the diverse range of assets and users present within the Hub. This ranges from small sports activities to the arts, and large events and functions.
We’ve recently appointed Recreation Sport Leisure Consultancy (RSL) to support us to finalise a master plan. RSL came out on top of a very competitive tender process. Since their establishment in 2018, RSL has developed a significant track record in successful recreation planning.
Their brief is to deliver a more affordable master plan, that better aligns with our investment objectives.The newly appointed consultant team will start with a peer review of the existing master plan, with a report due prior to Christmas. Following the Christmas break, the team will provide advice on alternative master plan options, which will be tested with Elected Members and key users.
A key focus of their investigation into alternative options will be exploring the feasibility of a separate indoor court facility. Following community engagement, the aim is to have a master plan to bring to Elected Members for adoption before June 2025.
- Maintenance Upgrades - Lighting
Whakatāne War Memorial Hall Stadium was closed for three weeks period throughout July and August as upgrades were made to the stadium lights. Thanks to a generous grant from Trust Horizon, energy efficient LED lights were installed which has greatly improved the lighting levels for all sports codes using this space, while also significantly reducing energy consumption and costs. The new lighting is able to be de-installed when any future redevelopment works are carried out and then reused.
- Maintenance Upgrades - Gas Boiler Improvements
Required remedial work has also been carried out on the gas boiler which provides heating for the stadium. As a result, users should notice a pleasant change to temperature levels.
- Maintenance Upgrades - Roof repair
Work has been completed on the replacement of a large area of roofing over the reception areas in conjunction with repair works to the roof over the Little Theatre. This was necessary as the roof material had degraded beyond repair and was causing infiltration into the building during poor weather. Repairs to the foyer ceiling tiles damaged because of this infiltration will follow.
Next steps
- Continue to undertake health and safety and functionally focussed improvement works. This will involve the establishment of a programme of works that can be undertaken while the Master Plan is being finalised.
- Work with the newly appointed consultant team to finalise a Master Plan.
More information
Any upgrades to the Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub will need to be delivered in stages to allow time to carry out detailed design and planning, seek feedback, obtain external funding and carry out construction works. Typically, community facility developments like this attract a significant portion of external funding. We’re proposing that funding comes from three sources; rates, development contributions and external funders. A plan will be developed to secure the levels of external funding required to progress through to the major redevelopment stage of the project.
It's not either/or
Council received a petition in 2023 alongside submissions to the Rex Morpeth Hub Master Plan. This petition stated that a second bridge should be prioritised over the redevelopment of the Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub. This was acknowledged by Council Elected Members and a second bridge remains a priority focus; however, it’s important to note that this is not a matter of ‘either/or’. Council’s responsibilities for future planning need to be balanced across a range of services and activities, and the timing and phasing of these is important. These two key projects, which have both been identified in earlier Long Term Planning processes, have their own unique requirements and would be funded from different streams. Critically, both projects would require significant external funding to occur.
View the draft master plan options - (PDF, 4.6 MB)
View the combined submissions received - (PDF, 22.3 MB)
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the 'Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub'?
'Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub' includes Whakatāne War Memorial Hall, Rex Morpeth Park, Rugby Park, Whakatāne Aquatic and Fitness Centre, Whakatāne Arts and Craft Centre and a number of sports clubs. It covers 17 hectares of surrounding reserve land.
- What's happening?
While Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub has served us well, significant maintenance and upgrades are now required to meet health and safety standards, meet existing and growing demands for indoor court and events space and to generate economic benefits for the wider district. The redevelopment project is one of the four key questions we are currently consulting on as part of our Long Term Plan (LTP) 2024-34. Council will need to make a decision about the inclusion of the project in the Long Term Plan and public feedback is being sought on the scale, timing and funding of the project.
- Why are we doing this?
Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub is one of Whakatāne District's most loved and used community assets. It's a special place where memories are made, and lifelong friendships and skills are developed. The hub is used by a large cross-sector of our communities, including those from outside Whakatāne District. The Whakatāne War Memorial Hall in particular is a really important facility as it is the district’s primary indoor courts space, event/function facility, theatre, and civil defence facility. It has served us well however, the space isn't fit for purpose anymore.
The hall and theatre haven't been updated for 50 years and changes are required in response to varying uses and challenges. For example, basketball and volleyball are two of the most popular sports in our district, but demand for court space exceeds supply. This means our tamariki and rangatahi are missing out. In addition, the Rugby Park grandstand requires seismic strengthening while significant maintenance and upgrades are now required to various aspects within the hub to meet health and safety standards, meet existing and growing demands for indoor court and events space and to generate economic benefits for the wider district.
The redevelopment of the Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub is not a new project. Over the past decade, our communities voiced their support for a financial commitment to upgrade Whakatāne War Memorial Hall. In addition, improvements to the broader recreation precinct (Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub) were included in the most recent (2021-2031) Long Term Plan budget. We are now at a stage where these commitments must be delivered on to keep the facilities and hub open and functioning safely.
- What area is included in the plans?
The plans look at changes to Whakatāne War Memorial Hall, the 17 hectares of surrounding reserve land at Rex Morpeth Park and Rugby Park, Whakatāne Aquatic and Fitness Centre and Whakatāne Arts and Craft Centre - collectively known as the Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub.
All of the master plan options provide for a wide scope of potential changes to the existing spaces and facilities within the Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub. The options range from doing the bare minimum to maintain the existing facilities, to a full redevelopment which proposes alternative locations for an events and indoor sports space within the existing park. In addition, one option provides for the theatre to be moved offsite to an alternative location.
Although implementation of any of the master plan options would be a staged approach, we are taking a comprehensive approach at examining options for the area to ensure our short term investment decisions contribute to great long term outcomes.
- Have you talked to the community about this?
Some time ago, Whakatāne District Council acknowledged the need for significant upgrades to the Whakatāne War Memorial Hall and a commitment was made to upgrade the hall and develop a master plan for the surrounding fields and facilities as part of the 2021-2031 Long Term Plan.
In February 2023, we asked for your thoughts about the Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub Master Plan project and what the future of this space could look like. We worked with a wider sector of our communities and key users of the facilities to better understand current uses and consider needs and wants. Since then, we progressed with the master planning process and three master plan options have been developed based off your feedback.
Some common themes came through and we took those on board. We agree there are many things to consider, including parking, traffic management, 'hubbing' of sporting codes, disconnection of Rugby Park and Rex Morpeth Park, demand for field space, upgrades to the theatre and much more.
As part of our Long Term Plan 24-34 consultation, we're now asking how should we scale, stage and fund necessary upgradesthe Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub project. You can have your say onn this, and other things that are important to you here.
- What are the options?
The options provide for a wide scope of potential changes to the existing spaces and facilities within the Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub. They range from doing the bare minimum to maintain the existing facilities (status quo), to a full redevelopment which proposes alternative locations for an events and indoor sports space within the existing park. In addition, one option provides for the theatre to be moved offsite to an alternative location. All options beyond status quo will be costly to develop with initial high-level costings ranging from $75m to $154m+ and will be staged over time.
- How much will this project cost?
All options beyond status quo will be costly to develop with initial high-level costings ranging from $75m to $139m+ and all master plan options would be stage over time.
The high costs are primarily due to the scale and nature of the park and in particular, the Whakatāne War Memorial Hall component which is a large portion of the project. The Whakatāne War Memorial Hall is a costly project because it has not had any substantial investment since it was constructed, and therefore requires substantial work to make it fit for purpose for the next fifty years. In addition, our population has grown and it needs to increase in size to meet demand.
Other key costs include developing more carparking, better access throughout the Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub, constructing new shared club facilities and spectator seating, as well as other key improvements.
The costs are based on early concept master plan phase. Therefore, there is a high level of variability, and the costs will be finalised when a preferred options is determined. We felt it was important to provide our communities an indication of the likely cost of this project.
We do know that it is unaffordable for our community to invest in any full master plan delivery at this time. Nor can we fund this alone as a community. For this reason, it’s important to plan now for future generations, so we can work towards staging development over time and have credible plans in order to seek external funding. We can’t seek funding without providing a plan.
Typically, community facilities such as this can attract a significant portion of funding to match that of the direct ratepayer and community contribution.
You can read more about the costs and preferred option here (see page 25).
- How is this being paid for?
We know that it is unaffordable for our community to invest in any full master plan delivery at this time. Nor can we fund this alone as a community. Typically, community facility developments like this attract a significant portion of external funding. We’re proposing that funding comes from three sources; rates, development contributions and external funders. A plan will be developed to secure the levels of external funding required to progress through to the major redevelopment stage of the project. Any upgrades to the Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub will need to be delivered in stages to allow time to carry out detailed design and planning, seek feedback, obtain external funding and carry out construction works.
- Why are you talking about investing in the district when times are tough?
This is a unique opportunity to ensure that we meet the current and future social, cultural, and sporting needs of our communities. It's tricky to discuss investing in our district at a time when the cost of living is front of mind. However, it’s important to plan now for future generations so we can work towards staging development over time and have credible plans in order to seek external funding.
Typically, community facilities such as this can attract a significant portion of external funding so it’s important to keep this in mind when having a say on preferred options.
- Are you knocking down the Whakatāne War Memorial Hall?
That decision hasn’t been made yet – no decisions have. Each master plan option shows a different way of upgrading the hall.
- Option 1 extends and upgrades the existing hall
- Options 2 and 3 will require the demolition of the existing hall and a new building constructed elsewhere on the site.
- Option 4 retains the existing hall and footprint with minor necessary upgrades.
- What will the final buildings look like?
The detailed design of the buildings will be worked through once a master plan option has been selected.
- Will you look at access and car parking?
We know that there is a parking shortfall on busier days and this affects the wider area and connecting roads. This has been a key driver in undertaking the master plan process and improving the overall situation of the Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub. The location of access into and through the site and car parking are key considerations for each of the master plan options.
- When will building work start?
At this stage no timeframes have been set as no decisions have been made. We are very early on in this project. Any significant works would be unlikely to start for a few years, though smaller improvement works could be made within the next two to three years.
- If you do redevelop the Whakatāne War Memorial Hall, where do we have our shows / events / indoor sports / civil defence centre while construction is in process? Is there an alternate venue?
Any redevelopment option will be completed in stages and timing of this will be discussed with users of the Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub. Council will work with users to find alternative venues during construction phases.
- Why are you proposing to move our club / field space?
Each master plan has been developed on the basis of improving functionality, flexibility, and accessibility within the Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub. Each option delivers on these principles in different ways and no final decision has been made on relocating uses and users.
- How would shared buildings or 'hubbing' work for different clubs and users?
Any shared use buildings will be discussed further and designed collaboratively with the clubs and users they are intended for. As a general rule, shared facilities are more viable to build and maintain as they have more users.
- How do I have my say on this project?
You can have your say as part of our current Long Term Plan 24-34 consultation which runs from now until the 12 April 2024. You can submit your feedback to us during this time by:
- Making a submission online
- Attending one of our community events
- Visiting a Council facility and filling in a hard copy submission form
- What happens next?
Following community feedback an evaluation report will be presented to elected members along with a preferred option to be included within the 2024 – 2034 Long Term Plan consultation.
- Who do I contact for more information?
Open Spaces Strategy
The Open Spaces Strategy will consider the open space requirements for current and future communities, to ensure effective decision-making on the management, development, acquisition, and divestment of open space.
Where are we at?
In February 2023, we asked you to 'think big' about open and recreational spaces as part of Mā Koutou, Mā Tātau - Our People, Our Spaces. We asked you for feedback, ideas and aspirations for sports fields, playgrounds, bush walks, parks and reserves across the rohe and your ideas on enhancing it.
We are currently working on a draft strategy based off your feedback and will let you know when a final draft is ready for your thoughts.