First floor of Creative Space building ready for community use in early 2021

Final touches are being made to the new Creative Space building, which has been built behind the Old School building. And thanks to our wonderful team of volunteers and local tradies it’s starting to look very smart and fit for the Whaingaroa community. Critical work on safety and security systems was completed in December, including the alarm systems and work on the stairs to the first floor so they comply with the accessibility code. After getting the tick of approval from the Waikato District Council on 22nd December, the Creative Space first floor will be ready for use by the community in February.

December grants from WEL Energy Trust and BlueSky Trust means the Community Room flooring will be sanded and finished with polyurethane be the end of January.

Other work to be completed is the area outside the Clay Shed, where pavers are being re-laid so that the rear car park area is ready to be sealed. Our volunteer painters will also be working on finishing the few parts of the exterior that need a final coat of paint. Another large job is enlivening a new power main so we have enough power for the second pottery kiln when it arrives early next year. WEL Networks have promised that they’ll complete this work in late February. Grants from the Waikato District Wellbeing Trust and the WEL Energy Trust have provided the funds for the new power cable.

Work to complete other parts of the project are continuing as funding allows. Rodger Gallagher, Chairperson of the Raglan Community Arts Council said, “It’s great to see the new Creative Space building that the local community decided to build in 2013 come to fruition. Already we have groups asking to use it.”

Thanks to the many Creative Space sponsors, the second batch of engraved bricks arrived just before Christmas and will be laid soon. Already another three donations have been made for bricks in the next batch. The money from donations and grants will help complete the building.
Donate a clay brick and support this community space by calling into the Old School office or visit raglanartscentre.co.nz/engraved-bricks

Organisations, businesses and individuals who have have made a donation to the Creative Space building will be recognised with a Thank You mural in the community room. Clay Shed artists will be creating the mural in the first quarter of 2021.