Estimated Costs On “Mona Vale” Given

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31497, 11 October 1967, Page 21

Estimated Costs On “Mona Vale” Given

An annual charge of $22,735 or of $29,000 would be involved for five years under alternative schemes for the maintenance and development of the “Mona Vale” property which have been set out by a joint staff committee of the Christchurch City Council and the Waimairi County Council.

Depending on the number of glasshouses that are retained if “Mona Vale” is bought as a public reserve, the annual maintenance cost would be either $16,880 or $21,000 and the development costs would vary between $29,275 and $40,000.

The staff committee made a detailed study of the property to get a more accurate idea of what could be involved in annual costs. The metropolitan councils have not yet agreed to share maintenance and development charges. “I think the figures are on the high side, and they do not take into account any income from the property,” said the City Council parks and recreation committee chairman (Cr P. J. Skellerup). A “drive through” toll charge, a restaurant and other ideas could be explored to produce an income, he said. Waimairi’s chairman (Mr D. B. Rich) said that he felt the figures should be released without comment, for the information of the public. Items of expenditure are given in detail for one alternative, which allows for the retention of five glasshouses and a fernery, and the demolition of three glasshouses. Under this scheme, maintenance of the grounds is given as $16,000, plus $lOOO for insurance and maintenance of buildings and bridges, and $4OOO to buy glasshouse plants for the main display. An almost equivalent annual cost would be involved to k"ep the display up to standard. This would make the annual maintenance cost $21,000. Dealing with buildings, the

report estimates that it would cost $225 to demolish three of the glasshouses. Proposed expenditure on the main residence would be $5250, including $l5OO for the exterior, $2750 for the interior and $lOOO for reroofing. Other major costs listed include $6OO to restore summerhouses, $5500 for work on the remaining five glasshouses, $lOOO for work on a pottingshed and $6OOO for the fernery.

The coach-house, lodge and garage, it is estimated, need $2500 spent on them. Public lavatories, estimated to cost $3200 if the existing sewer is satisfactory, and contingencies of 10 per cent at $2635 bring the total estimate for buildings to $29,010. A total of $6050 is given for bridging needs, the main item being $2OOO for the bridge to the Mormon Church from the “Mona Vale” grounds. The first and second traffic bridges on the drive from Fendalton Road are estimated to require $lOOO each. Minor bridge works account for the total.

A footbridge to the “optional” area off Fendalton Road has a limited life, the reports states. It would need replacement in from five to 10 years at a cost of $4500. The report allows expenditure of $4950 for the development of car-parks off Fendalton Road and in the vicinity of the coach-house, and included in this figure is $2500 for lighting the drive and car-parks, which the report regards as essential if “Mona Vale” is. to be used for evening functions. In the sixth year of operations, the report states, the new footbridge to the Fendalton Road car-park should be built at a cost of $4500. In the seventh year, no development work is proposed, and, the report says, in theory the annual maintenance cost then would be $21,000. Rising

:osts would probably make this figure $23,100. The alternative estimate is based on the demolition of the fernery and seven of the sight glasshouses. Maintem ince, on this basis, would be 516,000 plus $BBO for insurince, the development costs would be $29,275. These figures give an annual total of $22,735 spread of five rears.