Taihape Memorial Park Grandstand Update - December 2023

In January 2023, the Taihape Memorial Park Grandstand was granted Category 2 heritage building status by Heritage New Zealand .

However, the building only meets New Building Standard (NBS) of 17% and needs to be earthquake strengthened to 34%. Council staff have been exploring what sort of improvements can be achieved within a budget of $1million.

We have had discussions with structural engineers and were told what is achievable if the scope of works were limited to the following:

• Repair and restore elements that have been subject to deterioration, decay or weather damage, including cleaning and protective coatings.
• Repairs and replacement of rotten timbers.
• Re-nail or re-screw all weatherboards at each joint position. These double fixings will enable the external cladding to act as a much stiffer membrane.
• Replace the roofing, including removal of the existing bird proofing and clean-up of the structure.
• Install additional structural bracing and purlins in the roof to meet current codes.
• Strengthen existing joints to the sloping seating structure with brackets.
• Reconstruct and refit stairs and circulation routes to meet current building consent requirements for egress in case of emergency.
• Remove, make safe or replace obsolete electrical and plumbing services.

Council understands the significance that this building has to the Taihape community, and the suggestions above are from preliminary studies. More detailed investigations are required before this can be presented to the elected members for their consideration.

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