February demolition for fire-damaged pavilion

A fire-damaged pavilion at Kerikeri Domain will be demolished in February, allowing the Far North District Council and community to realise placemaking opportunities for the Domain.

The Council was forced to close the pavilion in June 2016 after a deliberately-lit fire left the structure unsafe to use. The Council resolved in June 2019 to demolish the pavilion and grandstand which had become a barrier to improving the Domain. It has recently contracted Whangarei-based firm NPM Remediation to demolish the pavilion after completing a public tender process for the work.

General Manager – Infrastructure and Asset Management, Andy Finch, says removing the pavilion and grandstand will provide improved connectivity and street appeal at the Domain and help to create a better public space. “It will also allow the realisation of opportunities, which could include developing a multi-use facility that caters for a range of group activities.”

The Council will help the Kerikeri Squash Club relocate to the Kerikeri Sports Complex on the Heritage Bypass where the Council will build new squash courts with insurance proceeds, budgeted funds and squash club money. “The squash club built the courts at the Domain in the late ‘60s/early ‘70s. They have been homeless since the fire, so we are committed to doing everything we can to help them establish a new base.”

The Council has deferred the start of demolition until after Christmas. It will try to minimise the impact the demolition works have on Cobham Road businesses and Domain users, but some disruption is inevitable. “We expect it will take about a month to demolish the building, remove materials and reinstate the site in grass. We will provide further details when we publicise the planned works in late January.”