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December 18 - 2018
KAIPARA LIFESTYLER
PA PA R O A / M ATA KO H E / T I N O PA I
Paparoa hub nearing completion u by Paul Campbell
Paparoa, the ‘village in the valley’, will have a new medical centre and library in a designated community hub ready for action in the new year, with work underway and “all on track” in the extensive refurbishment of the former Otamatea County Council building.
THE
KAURI MUSEUM Real New Zealand Heritage
Textiles Exhibition: A Touch of Lace for Every Occassion. Open now, until February 2019
Permanent displays include - Largest display of kauri gum in the world - Significant collection of kauri furniture - Stories of pioneering life and the kauri industry At Matakohe, just off SH 12, on the Twin Coast Discovery Highway. Open 9am-5pm. 5 Church Road, Matakohe, Northland. Phone: 09 431 7417 • www.kaurimuseum.com
Paparoa Medical Society chair, Graham Taylor says Brogan Builders’ work is presently concentrated within the building. “Ceilings have had to be taken down for the interior to be firerated and a lot of preparatory work has been done. The sewage system has been upgraded to a standard that is resource compliant, and we expect partitions and wiring should be underway before Christmas.” The $350,000 project will transform the building into a modern fit-for-purpose facility, “as befits a community building open to the public.” On completion, the medical centre will be operated by Coast to Coast Health Care Ltd with additional space leased to the library. “Coast to Coast needs a specialised wiring system for their IT requirements, there is plumbing work to complete, new toilet facilities including wheelchair access, fire exits — the list goes on, but we are all on track and expect completion near the end of January,” Mr Tayor said. The current progress has eased anxieties over the community hub development with the medical society initially finding many aspects of the
p Members of the Paparoa Medical Society left to right Graham Taylor, Robyn Skelton, Sue Plunkett and Don Hargrave
building were not compliant and obtaining the necessary funding has taken much longer than expected. Mr Taylor said the society is deeply grateful to many individuals and organisations from the Paparoa community for financial support and says local support will also assist in ensuring the centre has quality finishing touches. As a charity, donations are eligible for a 33 per cent tax refund. The Paparoa Community Library Inc will move into a refurbished space in the centre, with the library committee
chair, Debbie Blythen looking forward to the move. “We have a grant from the Kaipara District Council community fund for new shelving, but we are also looking for a new library manager, as well as volunteers to man the desk.” Anyone interested can contact Debbie on 09 431 6892. The library is also looking at the probability of a wi-fi facility, although a designated computer service cannot be accommodated due to space requirements. ¢
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