Whakatāne District Council elected members have decided to extend the Ōhope Lions Club’s lease of the Nissen shed at the Port Ōhope Wharf Reserve by a maximum of two years, providing breathing space for the club to find alternative accommodation for its ‘garage sale’ activities.

Council Policy Committee Chairperson, Judy Turner, says committee members recognised that there was substantial community support for the Lions’ activities and wanted to see an opportunity provided for the club to explore alternative locations.

“At the same time, the redevelopment of the Port Ōhope Wharf area has been signaled for a considerable number of years, with extensive community consultation undertaken before the plans were finalised,” she says. “That redevelopment is now underway and there is an expectation that the Nissen hut will be demolished, by no later than July 2020, to allow the completion of an attractive, ocean-to-harbour reserve space which will serve as a community recreation hub.”

The Nissen shed is in poor condition and will require some cladding repairs, repainting and electrical work to bring it up to a suitable standard for short-term occupation. The Club has undertaken to maintain the building in reasonable condition and assist in the construction of a new perimeter fence.