Township worked together on $90,000 project

Press, 21 October 1983, Page 31

Township worked together on $90,000 project

The official opening tomorrow by Mr Rex Austin, M.P., of the new community centre at Franz Josef Glacier will mark the fruition of an ambitious scheme. The idea to build the complex had its roots in a small remote community of about 40 permanent families. They raised the money and toiled for the project. The centre comprises a squash court comparable to the best in New Zealand, a medical clinic, a small hall suitable for conferences, meetings, crafts and play groups and a kitchen. The architect, Mr Gary Hopkinson, of Greymouth, has made provision for a new hall to replace the existing Guide Thompson Memorial Hall.

The new complex is now estimated to be worth more than $90,000. Two important contributions towards the costs were made by the Golden Kiwi Lottery Board ($20,000) and the Westland County Council ($4000). West Coast contracting, timber and business enterprises were generous, and local utilities were cooperative. Often when community morale flagged and the size of the project was still formidable, the timing of such generosity acted as a spur for renewed effort.

The final credit must go to the local people, whose pooled resources brought a wide diversity of background and skills and whose energy and commitment over a long, demanding period have ‘'paid off.” Characteristically South Westland is a “do it yourself’ place, and today it would be said that it has a “sense of community.” The first positive step took place on June 21, 1978 at a general meeting of the Guide Thompson Memorial Hall and Waiho Library Association Committee, later to become the Franz Josef Community Council, attended by 15 persons. It was decided to meet an architect to discuss the feasibility of building a community complex. Opinions were as varied as the individuals themselves, ranging from enthusiastic optimism to downright pessimism. In the ensuing two years there was intense planning and fund-raising. A building committee was convened and what its meetings lacked in formality was more than compensated by action. “Deals” were pursued with vigour. Practical men talked and got trees, and having got them, had the expertise to use them. Timber was stockpiled and this, proved to be a great

saving because inflation was high.

Fill for the site was obtained at every opportunity. Work groups were made available for any odd contracting jobs, such as haymaking, concreting, catering, curtain-making and school cleaning. A summer youth hostel was set up to use the hall, and the village hosted “motor-bike enduros.”

Gala days provided excellent family fun, with stalls, competitions, auction sales and a dance at night. All work was voluntary and all proceeds went to the cause.

In the middle of 1980 a meeting of all residents received plans and the decision to proceed was unanimous.

The estimated cost was $72,008; invested money stood at $13,000, with material promised as donations of $lO,OOO. Hopes were high for a Golden Kiwi grant and persuasive correspondence began. However, it was not until March, 1982, that work began in earnest on the site when the builder engaged for the project started. By this time, invested capital had grown to $23,852. Local voluntary labour was available and for weeks a rostered team worked for several hours after 5 p.m. each evening and in a few

cases, at 5 a.m. The attendance was amazing, and included almost everyone in the community.

Those unable to work gave in other ways.

The scheme came to a standstill over the busy farming and tourist season, when money was used up and the builder paid. However, it was not long before voluntary efforts resumed, and regular working bees were in full swing. The completion of the complex has involved incalculable hours of work. Throughout the project’s history whatever skills were required, practical or administrative, they were always forthcoming from amongst the small group of people. Some residents have left the district and in every case new arrivals have become involved.

Gala days offer visitors an opportunity to enjoy a true country fair. With this one timed for the Labour Day week-end many people are expected to attend, inspect the new community centre and dance the night away in the old hall. That hall, a memorial to Guide Darby Thompson, who lost his life in an avalanche, now shares its place of importance in the village with the new Franz Josef Community Centre. It stands in front of the new complex — a rather weathered sentinel.