Three companies have been shortlisted to apply for the job of developing Ōamaru’s new multi-purpose events facility.

Apollo Projects, Calder Stewart and Cook Brothers have been asked to present design/build proposals for consideration for the construction of the Network Waitaki Event Centre. A call for expressions of interest for the contract was released last year by the project board.

The board will provide a list of specifications and a budget for the selected companies to consider when working on their designs. This next step will occur over the next four months. 

Waitaki District Council major projects project manager Erik van der Spek said this would be a process where the companies could show their expertise in how they could best deliver all the requirements of the brief.

“We will also have the ability to choose elements of designs we like best from all three, meaning we will have the best possible outcome for the community.”

The three companies will need to present the project board with options around a six-court facility, storage, communal meeting and office space, and associated toilets, shower and changing rooms.

The brief will require two flooring options: either four timber sprung and two synthetic, or six timber sprung. 

“They also need to show us how we can incorporate a refurbished or replaced grandstand, either now or in the future,” he said.

Following the 2022 local elections, there are two new councillors on the board, which now consists of deputy mayor Hana Halalele, Cr Rebecca Ryan, Kevin Malcolm (Network Waitaki Events Centre Trust), Doug Hurst (Network Waitaki Events Centre Trust), David Higgins (Te Rūnanga o Ngai Tahu), Peter Robinson (Independent) and Geoff Douch (Network Waitaki). Geoff Douch was also elected as Project Board chair in February.

Fundraising is more than two-thirds complete, with $22m raised between the council and the community, of a $31m total target.

A further $7m-$10m was being sought from philanthropic trusts, and council would consider increasing the ratepayer contribution via the annual plan, but other funders are still being sought.

The board anticipate hearing back from the Otago Community Trust and Lottery Grants Board in August.

Construction time frames are subject to confirmation with the preferred contractor.

To make a donation or discuss funding contact Adair Craik on 021 309 9439.