Site Developed! Update - May 2024
Kia Ora koutou!
The Hall has been refurbished and is now in operation!
Feel free to drop in (during office hours) and have a look!
The Hall has been refurbished and is now in operation!
Feel free to drop in (during office hours) and have a look!
Site Development Update - June 2022
Kia ora koutou!
(from Valley Voice June 2022)
At long last, our Hall refurb begins. (WC731)
This is a project that has literally been decades in the making!
There have been plans afoot for many years to re-design, re-imagine and renovate our Aro Valley Community Hall.
Since being moved on to the current site in 1977, the former second-hand prefab classroom has served as our community centre. The hall has undergone repairs after a fire in the 1980s and several modifications including upgrades carried out during 2006/2007 and 2011.
Proposals to upgrade, move, rebuild and replace the building have been debated by the AVCC for nearly all of its existence. There have been multiple attempts to secure funding from the Council. The accumulated wisdom of our community was presented to the Council in the Aro Valley Redevelopment Proposal in 2004. We were extremely lucky to have a staunch local advocate in Councillor Stephanie Cook during this period.
Between 2008 and 2012 WCC undertook a review of community facilities throughout Wellington and identified Aro Valley as one of three suburbs that did not have community spaces and or centres that met the local community needs. The decision to undertake site development at Aro Valley was informed by demographic and socio-economic information. Funding was allocated across three years with the intent to upgrade our community facilities to better meet growing community needs using co-design process.
In December 2015, the WCC informed the AVCC that it had earmarked $1.2 million dollars for an upgrade of the Aro Valley Community Centre buildings and facilities in 2021. The funding was allocated over 3 phases: firstly, consultation and co-design with the community: the second, the design phase; thirdly, and where we find ourselves now, the building phase.
Community consultation began in earnest to establish what could be realised by this funding and what were our community’s highest priorities.
Over the years there have been multiple forms of consultation including several General Meetings; interviews; surveys; workshops; the Festival of Place; Q & A sessions; presentations by architects, planners and Council officers; 3D models; facilitated sessions; debates; and interactive forums resulting plans galore.
With a vibrant and diverse community like ours, it has taken quite some effort, at times, to reach accord. In 2017, a Community Steering Group was appointed to facilitate the consultation and communication between the community and Council and ensure that our input was embodied in the realised plans.
By February 2019, four options or “packages” were presented to the community. Two were eliminated and the remaining two were expanded and re-budgeted to further define what was possible. This was largely because, at the time of the funding allocation, $1.2 million bought a lot more than in later years.
And then just like in the movie The Highlander, there could be only one: Package four was the winner! We all thought it would quite straightforward from there…and along came COVID-19 and all the subsequent upheaval and disruption it brought including delays in being able to complete the tender process, availability of contractors, some design modifications and access to materials.
The final design for the Hall Renovation was unveiled at a General Meeting on 24 April 2021.
And here we are today, finally underway with our long anticipated renos. It is going to take a while to realise the plan as there is lots to do. The Hall will be lifted and moved, the interior substantially changed and exterior refinished. Current planning and timing suggests we will have our much loved Hall returned to us towards the end of the year.
Here's the things you need to know over the upcoming months:
All efforts will be made to maintain access through the site between Aro Park and Palmer Street. This might not be possible on a few days if it is just too dangerous.
There will be a lot of heavy machinery on-site so please slow down on bikes, scooters and skateboards – there won’t be as much room around the accessway.
We will all learn the art of patience as some things will appear to happen really quickly and others seemingly take forever.
As with all construction sites, our paths and walkways will get muddy and dirty – take extra care, especially over winter.
Needless to say – don’t go into the site during the project.
Lastly, if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to let us know or call the City Council directly.
(from Valley Voice June 2022)
At long last, our Hall refurb begins. (WC731)
This is a project that has literally been decades in the making!
There have been plans afoot for many years to re-design, re-imagine and renovate our Aro Valley Community Hall.
Since being moved on to the current site in 1977, the former second-hand prefab classroom has served as our community centre. The hall has undergone repairs after a fire in the 1980s and several modifications including upgrades carried out during 2006/2007 and 2011.
Proposals to upgrade, move, rebuild and replace the building have been debated by the AVCC for nearly all of its existence. There have been multiple attempts to secure funding from the Council. The accumulated wisdom of our community was presented to the Council in the Aro Valley Redevelopment Proposal in 2004. We were extremely lucky to have a staunch local advocate in Councillor Stephanie Cook during this period.
Between 2008 and 2012 WCC undertook a review of community facilities throughout Wellington and identified Aro Valley as one of three suburbs that did not have community spaces and or centres that met the local community needs. The decision to undertake site development at Aro Valley was informed by demographic and socio-economic information. Funding was allocated across three years with the intent to upgrade our community facilities to better meet growing community needs using co-design process.
In December 2015, the WCC informed the AVCC that it had earmarked $1.2 million dollars for an upgrade of the Aro Valley Community Centre buildings and facilities in 2021. The funding was allocated over 3 phases: firstly, consultation and co-design with the community: the second, the design phase; thirdly, and where we find ourselves now, the building phase.
Community consultation began in earnest to establish what could be realised by this funding and what were our community’s highest priorities.
Over the years there have been multiple forms of consultation including several General Meetings; interviews; surveys; workshops; the Festival of Place; Q & A sessions; presentations by architects, planners and Council officers; 3D models; facilitated sessions; debates; and interactive forums resulting plans galore.
With a vibrant and diverse community like ours, it has taken quite some effort, at times, to reach accord. In 2017, a Community Steering Group was appointed to facilitate the consultation and communication between the community and Council and ensure that our input was embodied in the realised plans.
By February 2019, four options or “packages” were presented to the community. Two were eliminated and the remaining two were expanded and re-budgeted to further define what was possible. This was largely because, at the time of the funding allocation, $1.2 million bought a lot more than in later years.
And then just like in the movie The Highlander, there could be only one: Package four was the winner! We all thought it would quite straightforward from there…and along came COVID-19 and all the subsequent upheaval and disruption it brought including delays in being able to complete the tender process, availability of contractors, some design modifications and access to materials.
The final design for the Hall Renovation was unveiled at a General Meeting on 24 April 2021.
And here we are today, finally underway with our long anticipated renos. It is going to take a while to realise the plan as there is lots to do. The Hall will be lifted and moved, the interior substantially changed and exterior refinished. Current planning and timing suggests we will have our much loved Hall returned to us towards the end of the year.
Here's the things you need to know over the upcoming months:
All efforts will be made to maintain access through the site between Aro Park and Palmer Street. This might not be possible on a few days if it is just too dangerous.
There will be a lot of heavy machinery on-site so please slow down on bikes, scooters and skateboards – there won’t be as much room around the accessway.
We will all learn the art of patience as some things will appear to happen really quickly and others seemingly take forever.
As with all construction sites, our paths and walkways will get muddy and dirty – take extra care, especially over winter.
Needless to say – don’t go into the site during the project.
Lastly, if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to let us know or call the City Council directly.
Site Development Update - May 2021
Kia ora koutou!
At the General Meeting on 24 April 2021, members were shown the new design for the Hall Renovation. This is based on the concept plan voted on by the community, but adjusted to met the budget. This is currently submitted for a building consent. If a contractor can be found in a timely manner, work should start in August 2021
Find here the new design for the Hall Renovation
At the General Meeting on 24 April 2021, members were shown the new design for the Hall Renovation. This is based on the concept plan voted on by the community, but adjusted to met the budget. This is currently submitted for a building consent. If a contractor can be found in a timely manner, work should start in August 2021
Find here the new design for the Hall Renovation
Site Development Update - Agreed Concept Design for our Community Centre Upgrade
On Sunday 31 March, around 25 people gathered in the Community Centre Hall and chose the preferred design concept from two options that were presented. The main features of the chosen design 'package 4' consist of moving the existing hall building closer to the old tennis pavilion, and replacing the roof of the tennis pavilion so the building can be used again.
The two options presented, packages 3 and 4, were more detailed versions of the two packages chosen by a community Meeting in February from four outline design options. These four were, in turn, the culmination of over two years community discussions, workshops and deliberations.
The preferred design concept will now be developed in detail by the WCC consultant design team and refined to fit within the budget. There will be opportunities for the community to provide detailed input into aspects of the design, and the design will be presented back to the community as it develops.
WCC will tender this project in the upcoming months, with construction envisaged to start early next year. We will provide updates when dates are confirmed.
Our big decision about the direction of this project has been made. Thank you to everyone who has contributed towards reaching this important milestone!
Refer to the update below for a floor plan of this package (the dashed red line shows the existing footprint of the hall in its current position, for reference).
The two options presented, packages 3 and 4, were more detailed versions of the two packages chosen by a community Meeting in February from four outline design options. These four were, in turn, the culmination of over two years community discussions, workshops and deliberations.
The preferred design concept will now be developed in detail by the WCC consultant design team and refined to fit within the budget. There will be opportunities for the community to provide detailed input into aspects of the design, and the design will be presented back to the community as it develops.
WCC will tender this project in the upcoming months, with construction envisaged to start early next year. We will provide updates when dates are confirmed.
Our big decision about the direction of this project has been made. Thank you to everyone who has contributed towards reaching this important milestone!
Refer to the update below for a floor plan of this package (the dashed red line shows the existing footprint of the hall in its current position, for reference).
General Meeting - 31st March 10:30am
Kia ora koutou!
In February we narrowed our options down to two possible concepts for a refurbished Community Centre. Now we need to choose one final option that the design team will take forward. This is the key decision point of the process, as it will be AVCC's endorsement to WCC of a single design option.
Meeting will receive information on the two options, discuss them and then choose one. After this those present will have a chance to provide more detailed feedback on the chosen design. The meeting will also discuss how the project will proceed once a final option is chosen.
The proposed designs are given below. You can also find the designs on the windows of the Aro Valley Community Centre at 48 Aro Street. Please have a look when walking past the Community Centre and provide your feedback at the General Meeting.
This is a General Meeting of the Aro Valley Community Council. Everyone who lives, works or owns property in the Aro Valley is welcome to participate.
In February we narrowed our options down to two possible concepts for a refurbished Community Centre. Now we need to choose one final option that the design team will take forward. This is the key decision point of the process, as it will be AVCC's endorsement to WCC of a single design option.
Meeting will receive information on the two options, discuss them and then choose one. After this those present will have a chance to provide more detailed feedback on the chosen design. The meeting will also discuss how the project will proceed once a final option is chosen.
The proposed designs are given below. You can also find the designs on the windows of the Aro Valley Community Centre at 48 Aro Street. Please have a look when walking past the Community Centre and provide your feedback at the General Meeting.
This is a General Meeting of the Aro Valley Community Council. Everyone who lives, works or owns property in the Aro Valley is welcome to participate.
Package 3 Drawing
Package 4 Drawing
Update January 2019
Kia ora koutou!
Our community is looking at four packages for changing up the community centre and its surrounds. The meeting on Saturday 9 February 2019 at 10.30am | Aro Hall will choose two for further development. The other two will be discarded. If you want to have a say in what happens, you need to be at the meeting.
This is the first community decision-point in a process that will conclude at the end of March. At the next meeting the community will choose again - this time it will be between 2 designs developed from the 2 we choose. These will be more developed, so you can see interior and exterior features.
Over the last three years, there has been a great deal of community engagement and discussion and we are now in the decision phase.
How can I prepare for the 9th of February?
Take a look at the four packages below. Read the summary information about how each delivers against the key community criteria drawn from almost three years of feedback and discussion.
If you want more background have a look at the rest of this Site Development page - it holds loads of treasures about the two year process we have been on to decide how we should use the grant of $1.2 million that has been offered us by the Wellington City Council.
Our community is looking at four packages for changing up the community centre and its surrounds. The meeting on Saturday 9 February 2019 at 10.30am | Aro Hall will choose two for further development. The other two will be discarded. If you want to have a say in what happens, you need to be at the meeting.
This is the first community decision-point in a process that will conclude at the end of March. At the next meeting the community will choose again - this time it will be between 2 designs developed from the 2 we choose. These will be more developed, so you can see interior and exterior features.
Over the last three years, there has been a great deal of community engagement and discussion and we are now in the decision phase.
How can I prepare for the 9th of February?
Take a look at the four packages below. Read the summary information about how each delivers against the key community criteria drawn from almost three years of feedback and discussion.
- Useful interior space
- Useful outdoor space
- Improved indoor-outdoor connection
- Safe and easy movement of people
- Retain character and reflect history
If you want more background have a look at the rest of this Site Development page - it holds loads of treasures about the two year process we have been on to decide how we should use the grant of $1.2 million that has been offered us by the Wellington City Council.
View more detail by downloading the following files:
Package 1
Package 2
Package 3
Package 4
Costings
Budget
What happened at the 15 December 2018 meeting?
This meeting introduced the four packages and people were asked for feedback. This will help with final design on whichever package is chosen. This feedback is summarised on a document below.
This meeting also helped your elected Steering Groups test whether there were major gaps or options we had overlooked. After reading the feedback, we are bringing the four option to a decision-making meeting so the community can make a final decision.
Tally of the rankings from 15dec18 AVCC GM
Some of the written feedback submitted after the 15 December 2018 AVCC General Meeting
Package 1
Package 2
Package 3
Package 4
Costings
Budget
What happened at the 15 December 2018 meeting?
This meeting introduced the four packages and people were asked for feedback. This will help with final design on whichever package is chosen. This feedback is summarised on a document below.
This meeting also helped your elected Steering Groups test whether there were major gaps or options we had overlooked. After reading the feedback, we are bringing the four option to a decision-making meeting so the community can make a final decision.
Tally of the rankings from 15dec18 AVCC GM
Some of the written feedback submitted after the 15 December 2018 AVCC General Meeting
Update August 2018
You might have heard…
The Aro Valley Community Centre is receiving a $1.3 million upgrade. After a review of the community facilities in Wellington, the City Council has partnered with Aro Valley Community Council to direct the allocation of these funds into a centre that allows the Aro Valley to meet the growing needs of our community.
To ensure the spirit of Aro Valley is captured in the design, the Aro Valley community has been actively involved in the design process. Ideas came together through general meetings, events, interviews, online questionnaires, interactive workshops and a historical investigation of the site. The information gathered formed a brief for the project, your ongoing engagement continues to give direction to evolving designs.
This page receives regular updates from events and decisions throughout the process and contains important documents. PLease take the time to read the media releases below "An update on the Aro Valley Community Centre Upgrade".
FAQ's
Inquiry by design brief
Report Community Engagement
AVCC Survey Results Aro Fair 2016
Voting results from Our Place Our Plan
Public Workshop General Meeting notes 2018 and Feedback
The Aro Valley Community Centre is receiving a $1.3 million upgrade. After a review of the community facilities in Wellington, the City Council has partnered with Aro Valley Community Council to direct the allocation of these funds into a centre that allows the Aro Valley to meet the growing needs of our community.
To ensure the spirit of Aro Valley is captured in the design, the Aro Valley community has been actively involved in the design process. Ideas came together through general meetings, events, interviews, online questionnaires, interactive workshops and a historical investigation of the site. The information gathered formed a brief for the project, your ongoing engagement continues to give direction to evolving designs.
This page receives regular updates from events and decisions throughout the process and contains important documents. PLease take the time to read the media releases below "An update on the Aro Valley Community Centre Upgrade".
FAQ's
Inquiry by design brief
Report Community Engagement
AVCC Survey Results Aro Fair 2016
Voting results from Our Place Our Plan
Public Workshop General Meeting notes 2018 and Feedback
BELOW ARE THE CURRENT DESIGNS ON DISPLAY
Aro Valley Community Centre Upgrade Steering Group Meeting Notes 2nd July.doc
Aro Valley Community Centre Upgrade Steering Group Meeting Notes 13th July.doc
Aro Valley Community Centre Upgrade Steering Group Meeting Notes 13th July.doc
An Update on the Aro Valley
Community Centre Upgrade
July 2018
Kia ora Aro Valley residents
You might have heard…
The Aro Valley Community Centre is receiving a $1.3 million upgrade. After a review of the community facilities in Wellington, the City Council has partnered with Aro Valley Community Council to direct the allocation of these funds into a centre that allows the Aro Valley to meet the growing needs of our community.
To ensure the spirit of Aro Valley is captured in the design, the Aro Valley community has been actively involved in the design process. Ideas came together through general meetings, events, interviews, online questionnaires, interactive workshops and a historical investigation of the site. The information gathered formed a brief for the project, your ongoing engagement continues to give direction to evolving designs.
This page reproduces a special edition of the Valley Voice that is an update of the story so far. It seeks to increase understanding of the project and celebrate the design the community has created.
At the end of this newsletter is a link to a survey and are some next steps on how you can continue to have meaningful input.
The fun part is about to begin!
Aro Valley Community Council
You might have heard…
The Aro Valley Community Centre is receiving a $1.3 million upgrade. After a review of the community facilities in Wellington, the City Council has partnered with Aro Valley Community Council to direct the allocation of these funds into a centre that allows the Aro Valley to meet the growing needs of our community.
To ensure the spirit of Aro Valley is captured in the design, the Aro Valley community has been actively involved in the design process. Ideas came together through general meetings, events, interviews, online questionnaires, interactive workshops and a historical investigation of the site. The information gathered formed a brief for the project, your ongoing engagement continues to give direction to evolving designs.
This page reproduces a special edition of the Valley Voice that is an update of the story so far. It seeks to increase understanding of the project and celebrate the design the community has created.
At the end of this newsletter is a link to a survey and are some next steps on how you can continue to have meaningful input.
The fun part is about to begin!
Aro Valley Community Council
The Waimapihi is in the Ether
Aro Valley residents have forever been a strong advocate for an open and inclusive community centre.
In fact, the area as we know it came to being through community action. Able bodied activists dug up the concrete in the dead of the night and claimed the land we enjoy as Aro Park. In the early 1970s, council announced that much of Aro Valley would become a Comprehensive Urban Renewal Area. The old houses would go, and in their place the council would build modern blocks of flats, bedsits and townhouses. The people of Aro Valley criticised the plans and formed the Aro Valley Action Group (the predecessor of the AVCC) in defense of their homes and all things Aro-ness. In the face of this fierce opposition, the City Councillors dropped the plan. Instead, they opened a community house, came alongside the action group and realigned their thinking. After months of community engagement, the “development” of Aro Valley looked completely different. This was the first time this type of joint planning, by both council and the people, had been tried in New Zealand and set the tone for future engagement with Aro Valley. Comprehensive Urban Renewal Scheme 1976
The Story of Aro Valley - Enviromental Planning
As a result, the empty Matauranga school on Aro Street was acquired by the Council in 1974, and the old tennis courts of the Wellington Lawn Tennis Club were transferred to Parks and Reserves for use as a temporary children’s playground. In 1977, a second hand prefab classroom was brought onsite which serves as the community centre today. The classroom was placed on the tennis courts in front of the pavilion, now known as ‘the bunker’.
The hall was badly fire damaged not long after it was set up on site, and repairs were the first big job. Aro Park was created in the 1980s following the demolition of the Matauranga school. When the community heard of the Salvation Army‘s plans to build their citadel on this site, they banded together. Community leaders dug up the asphalt in the middle of the night and planted trees as a symbol of the park and community space they imagined for the future. Our current walkway from Aro Street to Palmer Street, didn’t exist until this point.
The old classroom hall has seen several modifications some involving community contributions of funds and labour. Significant upgrades were carried out during 2006/2007 and 2011 and the preschool (which used to operate from the hall) received its own building. The Victoria University School of Architecture has been involved more than once in helping to design the centre.
Proposals for upgrading the hall have been debated by the AVCC for nearly all of its existence. There have been attempts to come up with a design and secure funding from Council. The current budget and working relationship with the Council are the result of these efforts. Aro Valley Redevelopment Proposal 2004
Did Iona just dump the money on us or did we ask for it?
Wellington City Council is aware of the current issues with the building, and site. From 2008 to 2012 they undertook a review of community facilities throughout Wellington and as a result identified Aro Valley as one of three suburbs that did not have community spaces and or centres that met the local community needs. The decision to undertake site development at Aro Valley was informed by demographic and socio-economic information. Funding was allocated across three years with the intent to upgrade our community facilities to better meet growing community needs using co-design process.
What makes a good community centre?
He tangata, he tangata, he tangata. People make a good community centre.
However, upgrading the buildings will help the community thrive - for instance providing more spaces to meet and keeping us warm when we do.
To inform the architect’s brief, the AVCC took the opportunity to review the area beyond the Council’s specified scope. It made sense because the area surrounding the buildings is part of the community space. The upgrade needs to fit within the site and not preclude any future opportunities. The community space includes the common facilities, hall, garages, bunker and the area around the buildings. It was agreed that having a broader sense of the surrounding spaces would ensure that:
- community appetite for future development was understood and conversations with all stakeholders e.g Aro Valley Preschool and Te Aro School were started.
- Any changes would reflect the use of the community space.
- Any on-going social issues generated by or associated with the community space were explored
The process had two phases - understanding the context and generating ideas, and making decisions with the community and setting priorities for the design brief. Agreement for community scoping
Anne Cunningham and Cally O’Neil were brought onboard at this point. They are community developers and facilitators with experience in urban design. They began by scoping the intent with the AVCC sub-committee in Sept 2016. AVCC briefed them on their understanding of the Aro Valley community, and how the site affected Aro Valley. They had access to WCC statistics and the archived history of the site.
They tested this understanding by engaging with the wider community. Interviews were carried out with various members of the community: those involved in earlier engagement, everyday site users, passers-by, preschool families and those in transit through the site.
A weekend long Festival of Place (Nov 16) followed to provide opportunities for the community to publicly discuss and record their perspective. The work was done on site, so the conversations were clear. There was a wide range of different materials to contextualise issues and ideas within physical spaces e.g maps, models and photos were used as prompts to extend discussion and explore concerns in detail. There was an online and paper survey, and a social media campaign for advertising workshops. Committee members conducted further interviews with stakeholders and people known to be hard to reach.
These events and initiatives enabled the community to discuss Aro Valley with each other and provided opportunity to record ideas and hear from each other our preferences, issues and risks. Each event attracted between 35 - 100 people. They were advertised via posters, email, newsletter, social media and mailbox drops. There was diversity in who came e.g hall users, residents of Aston Towers, people experiencing homelessness, preschool staff and parents, children, cyclists, basketball players, past and present community centre staff and volunteers, Kai O Te Aro gardeners and our neighbours on Palmer Street to name a few.
The next public workshop “Our Place, Our Plan” in April 2017, took the 300+ ideas generated from this and developed them in to a series of priorities (see over page). At this workshop the community explored relationships with different ideas and developed a list of principle themes and specific facilities they wanted developed.
These formed part of the backbone of the design briefing, which went alongside the technical and financial constraints for the site.
Report Community Engagement
AVCC Survey Results Aro Fair 2016
Voting results from Our Place Our Plan
Design Brief 2017
However, upgrading the buildings will help the community thrive - for instance providing more spaces to meet and keeping us warm when we do.
To inform the architect’s brief, the AVCC took the opportunity to review the area beyond the Council’s specified scope. It made sense because the area surrounding the buildings is part of the community space. The upgrade needs to fit within the site and not preclude any future opportunities. The community space includes the common facilities, hall, garages, bunker and the area around the buildings. It was agreed that having a broader sense of the surrounding spaces would ensure that:
- community appetite for future development was understood and conversations with all stakeholders e.g Aro Valley Preschool and Te Aro School were started.
- Any changes would reflect the use of the community space.
- Any on-going social issues generated by or associated with the community space were explored
The process had two phases - understanding the context and generating ideas, and making decisions with the community and setting priorities for the design brief. Agreement for community scoping
Anne Cunningham and Cally O’Neil were brought onboard at this point. They are community developers and facilitators with experience in urban design. They began by scoping the intent with the AVCC sub-committee in Sept 2016. AVCC briefed them on their understanding of the Aro Valley community, and how the site affected Aro Valley. They had access to WCC statistics and the archived history of the site.
They tested this understanding by engaging with the wider community. Interviews were carried out with various members of the community: those involved in earlier engagement, everyday site users, passers-by, preschool families and those in transit through the site.
A weekend long Festival of Place (Nov 16) followed to provide opportunities for the community to publicly discuss and record their perspective. The work was done on site, so the conversations were clear. There was a wide range of different materials to contextualise issues and ideas within physical spaces e.g maps, models and photos were used as prompts to extend discussion and explore concerns in detail. There was an online and paper survey, and a social media campaign for advertising workshops. Committee members conducted further interviews with stakeholders and people known to be hard to reach.
These events and initiatives enabled the community to discuss Aro Valley with each other and provided opportunity to record ideas and hear from each other our preferences, issues and risks. Each event attracted between 35 - 100 people. They were advertised via posters, email, newsletter, social media and mailbox drops. There was diversity in who came e.g hall users, residents of Aston Towers, people experiencing homelessness, preschool staff and parents, children, cyclists, basketball players, past and present community centre staff and volunteers, Kai O Te Aro gardeners and our neighbours on Palmer Street to name a few.
The next public workshop “Our Place, Our Plan” in April 2017, took the 300+ ideas generated from this and developed them in to a series of priorities (see over page). At this workshop the community explored relationships with different ideas and developed a list of principle themes and specific facilities they wanted developed.
These formed part of the backbone of the design briefing, which went alongside the technical and financial constraints for the site.
Report Community Engagement
AVCC Survey Results Aro Fair 2016
Voting results from Our Place Our Plan
Design Brief 2017
Site Considerations and Project Constraints
Money, money, money
$1.3 million is for the total budget, not only for construction. It must cover the cost of all design and building services. The Long Term Plan budget allocated to this project is for community facilities/centre upgrade, relating directly to the Community Facilities Policy (WCC Website). To be accountable for ratepayers’ money, it is desired that the funding goes into upgrading the community centre, not the park. These are capital funds and highly contestable. WCC’s budget for this project is tied to a this financial year; however it can be transferred to next year if a fully developed and costed design is complete by October this year
Policy Framework for the site can be found online
How was the preferred design identified?
While the concept design options explored different locations for the community centre on site (see over page), investigations in to the costs and site constraints revealed that locating the upgraded community centre in a similar position to the existing centre would have both budgetary and logistical benefits.
Once the technical information and community feedback were reviewed by the steering committee a costing exercise was undertaken.
All Concept Designs came in over budget, including estimates for new buildings. These concepts were presented to the community to gain feedback of the portfolio of ideas they showed, so the engagement acted as a strong guide to the next stage. This indicated that the preliminary design should be developed based on Concept One and that reusing suitable features, such as the roof to reduce waste, and leave more of the budget for other features the community have requested. Other areas to reduce the costs were indentified where the Aro community can contribute: eg landscaping, planting, artwork, painting.
Optioneering
During the development of the building and landscape proposals there have been additional works identified beyond the minimum upgrade to the community centre amenities. These are the “nice to have” items as opposed to the “must haves”.
With the benefit of the QS estimate Aro Valley will soon be able to work with architects to prioritise these elements knowing their estimated cost, and potential contributions from the community. Once a list of priorities is agreed upon, there will be a budgetting exercise to determine what can be incorporated into the first round of work. Other items can follow on at a later date, and there are also some items (eg garages & playground 2020/2021) that have a separate budget and timeline.
The details will be important, and will be where members of the community can contribute to their area of interest.
The Bunker
The bunker (ex tennis pavilion 1937) is not occupiable in its current state. The roof and interior space need large and costly renovations to make it usable and safe for future generations. The preliminary design proposed its removal and the majority of community participants support its demolition. The current design proposes a covered multipurpose outdoor space that retains parts of the bunkers structure.
Below are the location options tested for the hall, budget information and the preliminary design. This prompted more feedback giving evolution to the design. Public Workshop General Meeting notes 2018 and Feedback
Developed Design Draft July 2018
Here it is! The developed design for the Aro Valley Community Centre
How can I be more involved?
The site at the Aro Valley Community Centre is rich in history and narrative.
It wouldn’t exist without the actions of committed community members who fought for its establishment and helped form and evolve the relationship with the the Wellington City Council.
To inform the architect’s brief, the community put forward the values and priorities of Aro Valley. Collectively, the steering committee have heard hundreds of ideas - these were collated and catagorised by the community. A new design for the upgrade of the community centre is proposed, taking into account the site’s considerations and constraints. There’s still a lot of meaningful input you can have! You’re invited to participate in user groups to evaluate specific functions of the community centre.
Your feedback will inform the detailed design phase of this upgrade.
User groups may include but not be limited to
Landscape: composting, ways, kai o te aro gardens, children’s spaces, traffic
How do we want it to look? Art, painting
I wanna help build it! Sign up to volunteer your labour on the project.
Bunker
Events: set up, staging, power supply
History, acknowledgement of the past and community action group
Kitchen needs
Office, staff rooms, curtains, furniture
AV equipment
Future projects and opportunities
Community development: homelessness, social change
Important dates
25 July Aro Valley Community Council Annual General Meeting
8 August Deadline for Feedback from this survey
25 August Aro Valley Community Council General Meeting
It wouldn’t exist without the actions of committed community members who fought for its establishment and helped form and evolve the relationship with the the Wellington City Council.
To inform the architect’s brief, the community put forward the values and priorities of Aro Valley. Collectively, the steering committee have heard hundreds of ideas - these were collated and catagorised by the community. A new design for the upgrade of the community centre is proposed, taking into account the site’s considerations and constraints. There’s still a lot of meaningful input you can have! You’re invited to participate in user groups to evaluate specific functions of the community centre.
Your feedback will inform the detailed design phase of this upgrade.
User groups may include but not be limited to
Landscape: composting, ways, kai o te aro gardens, children’s spaces, traffic
How do we want it to look? Art, painting
I wanna help build it! Sign up to volunteer your labour on the project.
Bunker
Events: set up, staging, power supply
History, acknowledgement of the past and community action group
Kitchen needs
Office, staff rooms, curtains, furniture
AV equipment
Future projects and opportunities
Community development: homelessness, social change
Important dates
25 July Aro Valley Community Council Annual General Meeting
8 August Deadline for Feedback from this survey
25 August Aro Valley Community Council General Meeting
Frequently Asked Questions:
Your feedback will inform the detailed design phase of this upgrade.
Aro Valley Site Development
General Meeting 18th April
You can watch the entire General Meeting about the Site Development below. You can also access an excel document of the notes from the cynic and believer activities and discussions here or see them for yourself, cynic and believer image 1, image 2.
You can watch the entire General Meeting about the Site Development below. You can also access an excel document of the notes from the cynic and believer activities and discussions here or see them for yourself, cynic and believer image 1, image 2.
Message from Landscape Architects
The following pages illustrate lots of opportunities and options for what is possible, within the landscape around Aro Valley Community Centre. These are based on discussions with community members, the previous engagement interviews and workshops and our thoughts and observations from the site. The drawings are our way of inviting a conversation with you about what can happen in this project, and what you want to work towards in the future. So we have included ideas of what can be done within this project, and ideas to stimulate future community-led projects.
What is not built, as part of this project, may be excluded for two reasons: it maybe a bad idea, or maybe something that can be added over a longer period through community efforts or perhaps you can develop separate projects / funding. You may even find people here today who want to work with you on one of these.
What we need from you is your feedback. Continue reading... Local_Landscape Concept Presentation (PDF, 19 pages)
The following pages illustrate lots of opportunities and options for what is possible, within the landscape around Aro Valley Community Centre. These are based on discussions with community members, the previous engagement interviews and workshops and our thoughts and observations from the site. The drawings are our way of inviting a conversation with you about what can happen in this project, and what you want to work towards in the future. So we have included ideas of what can be done within this project, and ideas to stimulate future community-led projects.
What is not built, as part of this project, may be excluded for two reasons: it maybe a bad idea, or maybe something that can be added over a longer period through community efforts or perhaps you can develop separate projects / funding. You may even find people here today who want to work with you on one of these.
What we need from you is your feedback. Continue reading... Local_Landscape Concept Presentation (PDF, 19 pages)
Latest update: March 2018
The project to upgrade the Aro Valley Community Centre is underway, and we are now at the Preliminary Design Testing phase. In this phase, the Preliminary Design is presented to the community and feedback is welcomed.
This update shares site development design material and communications that have been compiled and summarised by the project consultants. Each link opens a PDF document in a new browser tab.
Introducing the Preliminary Design (PDF, 4 pages)
Site Considerations and Project Constraints (PDF, 5 pages)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (PDF, 6 pages)
AVCC Timeline for Upgrade (PDF, 3 pages)
Landscape Architecture: posters (PDF, 6 pages)
Plans showing the Preliminary Design (PDF, 3 pages)
A meeting where the community can hear from the project consultants and give their feedback in person will be coming shortly - watch this space!
This update shares site development design material and communications that have been compiled and summarised by the project consultants. Each link opens a PDF document in a new browser tab.
Introducing the Preliminary Design (PDF, 4 pages)
Site Considerations and Project Constraints (PDF, 5 pages)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (PDF, 6 pages)
AVCC Timeline for Upgrade (PDF, 3 pages)
Landscape Architecture: posters (PDF, 6 pages)
Plans showing the Preliminary Design (PDF, 3 pages)
A meeting where the community can hear from the project consultants and give their feedback in person will be coming shortly - watch this space!
Site Development Project: Introduction
In December 2015, the Wellington City Council (WCC) informed the Aro Valley Community Council (the AVCC) it had earmarked $1.2 million dollars for an upgrade of the Aro Valley Community Centre buildings and facilities. The money is to be spent over three years and in three phases. The WCC is supporting this project as a community-led design process. The plans will be inspired by community needs and future vision. Ideally this will ensure that the facilities support and encourage a strong and connected social environment.
WCC is funding the project through its Long Term Plan 2012-15 allocation: click here to read the Long Term Plan 2012-22 (see pages 83-85).
Click here to find out more on the WCC's project webpage for Aro Valley upgrade
Click here for a map of community centre site (Attachment 1) (the extent of the project area is shown in pink)
Governance
The project is governed by the AVCC and WCC through a steering group with representatives from each organisation.
The Steering Group
The aim of the Steering Group is to oversee the process from early engagement through to developed design. Ultimately it will recommend a preferred option to WCC. The Steering Group is responsible for ensuring the community is consulted about design options and are encouraged to be involved in the implementation of the design.
Steering Group Terms of Reference (Attachment 2)
Steering Group Meeting notes (Attachment 3)
Aro Valley Community Centre upgrade Steering Group meeting notes 28 May 2018
Aro Valley Community Centre upgrade Steering Group meeting notes 3 May 2018
Aro Valley Community Centre upgrade Steering Group meeting notes 9 April 2018
Aro Valley Community Centre upgrade Steering Group meeting notes 12 Feb 2018
Aro Valley Community Centre upgrade Steering Group meeting notes 26 February and 12 March 2018
Aro Valley Community Centre Upgrade Steering meeting notes 11 December 2017
Aro Valley Community Centre Upgrade Steering meeting notes 20 November 2017
Aro Valley Community Centre Upgrade Steering meeting notes 13 November 2017
Aro Valley Community Centre Upgrade Steering meeting notes 14 August 2017
Aro Valley Community Centre Upgrade Steering meeting notes June July 2017
Aro Valley Community Centre Upgrade Steering meeting notes September 2017
Aro Valley Community Centre Upgrade Steering meeting notes October 2017
The AVCC
The community centre is operated by the AVCC, with funding from WCC to support community activities and community development. The AVCC is made up of elected residents.
Five members of the AVCC formed a sub committee to provide support for and manage the project – Luke Allen, Hilary Unwin, (co- chairs) Rachel Griffiths, (treasurer) Sacha Green and Jo Brien. The subcommittee report to the AVCC and the Steering Group.
WCC
WCC owns the site and maintains the community buildings. WCC Community Services and Property teams support the project as members of the Steering Group, and maintain links to related Council officers.
Funding Contract and Performance Agreement between AVCC and WCC (Attachment 4)
Project Timeline and Progress
Year 1 July 2016-June 2017 - Community scoping, preparing project brief
Year 2 July 2017-June 2018 - Detailed design and consents
Year 3 July 2018-June 2019 - Construction tender and development
Aro Fair March 2016 – Survey
The AVCC subcommittee ran a stall to initiate community thinking about the project. A questionnaire was given out to fair goers for feedback on use and comments regarding the site.
Summary responses http://www.arovalley.org.nz/minutes.html
General meeting Wednesday 13 April 2016 – Site Development
The subcommittee ran a general meeting giving an overview of the project, estimated timeline, and an explanation of the community engagement.
General Meeting Minutes (Attachment 5)
Year 1 Project Scoping
The first phase involves engaging with the community, determining values and needs and transforming these concepts into a design brief.
The WCC budget this fiscal year is $48,247 (June 2016-July 2017) for:
Agreement for community scoping (Attachment 6)
Community Consultation Key Dates
Scoping with AVCC subcommittee September 2016
Interviews and Site Residency October-November 2016
Festival of Place (community workshop 1) November 2016
Extending reach: additional interviews December 2016-March 2017
Our Place, Our Plan (community workshop 2) April 2017
Design Charrettes (community workshop 3) June 2017
Anne Cunningham and Cally O’Neil prepared a summary report covering up to and including Our Place Our Plan workshop. The independent report provides an overview of the process, insights and recommendations for the next phases of design and implementation. The accompanying summary lists all the ideas raised by the community, and further highlights the priorities identified through the Our Place, Our Plan workshop.
Community Engagement Report (Attachment 7)
Selecting the Architects
The Steering Group sought an architect to work alongside the community to create a design in keeping with identified community values and needs.
WCC led an open procurement process from November 2016-February 2017 and received 7 proposals. The Steering Group acted as the evaluation panel and chose Jerram Tocker Barron Architects Ltd. While the architect’s contract is with WCC, the Steering Group will continue oversight of the design process and outcomes.
The Design Charrettes June 2017
Following extensive public feedback on the Community Centre, its facilities and its future, AVCC hosted a series of design workshops (design charrettes). The purpose was to progress to the next phase: site and building design. The workshops used an enquiry by design structure to build on the ideas already raised, and start drawing plans. Participants discussed and drew possible design solutions of the upgrade.
Architects' report on the Charrettes and Design Brief.
Year 2 Detailed Design and Consents
Year 2 July 2017-June 2018 - Detailed design and compliance processes
Concept designs will be presented by the architect for further community consultation.
Designs will be completed by the architects and engineers, and submitted for building consent and resource consent.
Year 3 – July 2018-June 2019 Construction Tender and Development
The site construction timing will depend on the design solutions, and will be programmed with construction tender.
Supporting information:
Aro Valley Redevelopment Proposal 2004 (Attachment 8)Aro Valley Community Centre Upgrade Steering Group meeting notes 14 August 2017.Aro Valley Community Centre upgrade Steering Group meeting notes Sept 2017Aro Valley Community Centre - preliminary designAVCC TimelineAro Valley Community Centre upgrade Steering Group meeting notes 26 February and 12 March 2018 (1) (2).docx
26 KB
WCC is funding the project through its Long Term Plan 2012-15 allocation: click here to read the Long Term Plan 2012-22 (see pages 83-85).
Click here to find out more on the WCC's project webpage for Aro Valley upgrade
Click here for a map of community centre site (Attachment 1) (the extent of the project area is shown in pink)
Governance
The project is governed by the AVCC and WCC through a steering group with representatives from each organisation.
The Steering Group
The aim of the Steering Group is to oversee the process from early engagement through to developed design. Ultimately it will recommend a preferred option to WCC. The Steering Group is responsible for ensuring the community is consulted about design options and are encouraged to be involved in the implementation of the design.
Steering Group Terms of Reference (Attachment 2)
Steering Group Meeting notes (Attachment 3)
Aro Valley Community Centre upgrade Steering Group meeting notes 28 May 2018
Aro Valley Community Centre upgrade Steering Group meeting notes 3 May 2018
Aro Valley Community Centre upgrade Steering Group meeting notes 9 April 2018
Aro Valley Community Centre upgrade Steering Group meeting notes 12 Feb 2018
Aro Valley Community Centre upgrade Steering Group meeting notes 26 February and 12 March 2018
Aro Valley Community Centre Upgrade Steering meeting notes 11 December 2017
Aro Valley Community Centre Upgrade Steering meeting notes 20 November 2017
Aro Valley Community Centre Upgrade Steering meeting notes 13 November 2017
Aro Valley Community Centre Upgrade Steering meeting notes 14 August 2017
Aro Valley Community Centre Upgrade Steering meeting notes June July 2017
Aro Valley Community Centre Upgrade Steering meeting notes September 2017
Aro Valley Community Centre Upgrade Steering meeting notes October 2017
The AVCC
The community centre is operated by the AVCC, with funding from WCC to support community activities and community development. The AVCC is made up of elected residents.
Five members of the AVCC formed a sub committee to provide support for and manage the project – Luke Allen, Hilary Unwin, (co- chairs) Rachel Griffiths, (treasurer) Sacha Green and Jo Brien. The subcommittee report to the AVCC and the Steering Group.
WCC
WCC owns the site and maintains the community buildings. WCC Community Services and Property teams support the project as members of the Steering Group, and maintain links to related Council officers.
Funding Contract and Performance Agreement between AVCC and WCC (Attachment 4)
Project Timeline and Progress
Year 1 July 2016-June 2017 - Community scoping, preparing project brief
Year 2 July 2017-June 2018 - Detailed design and consents
Year 3 July 2018-June 2019 - Construction tender and development
Aro Fair March 2016 – Survey
The AVCC subcommittee ran a stall to initiate community thinking about the project. A questionnaire was given out to fair goers for feedback on use and comments regarding the site.
Summary responses http://www.arovalley.org.nz/minutes.html
General meeting Wednesday 13 April 2016 – Site Development
The subcommittee ran a general meeting giving an overview of the project, estimated timeline, and an explanation of the community engagement.
General Meeting Minutes (Attachment 5)
Year 1 Project Scoping
The first phase involves engaging with the community, determining values and needs and transforming these concepts into a design brief.
The WCC budget this fiscal year is $48,247 (June 2016-July 2017) for:
- Community-led scoping
- Background studies
- Architecture design services
Agreement for community scoping (Attachment 6)
Community Consultation Key Dates
Scoping with AVCC subcommittee September 2016
Interviews and Site Residency October-November 2016
Festival of Place (community workshop 1) November 2016
Extending reach: additional interviews December 2016-March 2017
Our Place, Our Plan (community workshop 2) April 2017
Design Charrettes (community workshop 3) June 2017
Anne Cunningham and Cally O’Neil prepared a summary report covering up to and including Our Place Our Plan workshop. The independent report provides an overview of the process, insights and recommendations for the next phases of design and implementation. The accompanying summary lists all the ideas raised by the community, and further highlights the priorities identified through the Our Place, Our Plan workshop.
Community Engagement Report (Attachment 7)
Selecting the Architects
The Steering Group sought an architect to work alongside the community to create a design in keeping with identified community values and needs.
WCC led an open procurement process from November 2016-February 2017 and received 7 proposals. The Steering Group acted as the evaluation panel and chose Jerram Tocker Barron Architects Ltd. While the architect’s contract is with WCC, the Steering Group will continue oversight of the design process and outcomes.
The Design Charrettes June 2017
Following extensive public feedback on the Community Centre, its facilities and its future, AVCC hosted a series of design workshops (design charrettes). The purpose was to progress to the next phase: site and building design. The workshops used an enquiry by design structure to build on the ideas already raised, and start drawing plans. Participants discussed and drew possible design solutions of the upgrade.
Architects' report on the Charrettes and Design Brief.
Year 2 Detailed Design and Consents
Year 2 July 2017-June 2018 - Detailed design and compliance processes
Concept designs will be presented by the architect for further community consultation.
Designs will be completed by the architects and engineers, and submitted for building consent and resource consent.
Year 3 – July 2018-June 2019 Construction Tender and Development
The site construction timing will depend on the design solutions, and will be programmed with construction tender.
Supporting information:
Aro Valley Redevelopment Proposal 2004 (Attachment 8)Aro Valley Community Centre Upgrade Steering Group meeting notes 14 August 2017.Aro Valley Community Centre upgrade Steering Group meeting notes Sept 2017Aro Valley Community Centre - preliminary designAVCC TimelineAro Valley Community Centre upgrade Steering Group meeting notes 26 February and 12 March 2018 (1) (2).docx
26 KB
Events
It's time to look at options for the community facilities upgrade. The architects have considered the community's views and developed 3 concept designs for feedback. This is the design stage with the most opportunity for community input. The designs will be on display in the Aro Valley community hall from Friday 15th September to Wednesday 20th September.
Visit the hall to view plans, see 3D images, ask questions and give feedback:
Friday 15 September: 12pm – 6pm
Anne Cunningham: 12-6
JTB Architects: 4-6
Teresea Gianos (WCC): 12-2
Saturday 16 September: 10am – 5.30pm
Anne Cunnigham: 11:30-5:30
JTB Architects: 10-12
Sunday 17 September: 3-4:30pm
Anne Cunnigham: 3-4:30
Monday 18 September: 8.30-10am (Aro Valley Preschool)
Anne Cunningham: 8:30-10
Teresa Gianos: 9-10
Tuesday 19 September: 1 - 2.30pm
Teresa Gianos: 1-2:30
Wednesday 20 September: 3 - 5pm
JTB Architects: 3-5
The hall can be open extra hours Monday-Wednesday so get in touch if you can’t make these times and we can arrange.
Site Development Community Update and Q and A
Sunday 17th September 4:30 - 5:30pm.
Come along to hear the story so far and where to from here, with members of the Site Development team: Luke Allen - Co-chair - AVCC Anne Cunningham - Community Facilitator Teresa Gianos - WCC
Please come along and get your questions answered!
Visit the hall to view plans, see 3D images, ask questions and give feedback:
Friday 15 September: 12pm – 6pm
Anne Cunningham: 12-6
JTB Architects: 4-6
Teresea Gianos (WCC): 12-2
Saturday 16 September: 10am – 5.30pm
Anne Cunnigham: 11:30-5:30
JTB Architects: 10-12
Sunday 17 September: 3-4:30pm
Anne Cunnigham: 3-4:30
Monday 18 September: 8.30-10am (Aro Valley Preschool)
Anne Cunningham: 8:30-10
Teresa Gianos: 9-10
Tuesday 19 September: 1 - 2.30pm
Teresa Gianos: 1-2:30
Wednesday 20 September: 3 - 5pm
JTB Architects: 3-5
The hall can be open extra hours Monday-Wednesday so get in touch if you can’t make these times and we can arrange.
Site Development Community Update and Q and A
Sunday 17th September 4:30 - 5:30pm.
Come along to hear the story so far and where to from here, with members of the Site Development team: Luke Allen - Co-chair - AVCC Anne Cunningham - Community Facilitator Teresa Gianos - WCC
Please come along and get your questions answered!
The Next Phase: Design
June 9-10th
We have collected extensive public feedback on the Community Centre, its facilities and its future and we are now entering the next phase: building design. See below for some of the results
Please join us and play your part in the next phase: You are invited to attend an ‘enquiry-by-design’ workshop to develop and draw possible design solutions for the upgrade works.
This is an interactive public meet up which will include breaking into groups to help form the design and of the upgrade for Aro Community Centre.
All sessions will be held at the Aro Valley Community Centre
Session1: Friday 9th June: 12.30-2.30pm
Session2: Friday 9th June: 4-6pm
Session 3: Saturday 10th June: 1-3pm
Session 4: Sunday 11th June: 1-3pm
This event is your opportunity to:
June 9-10th
We have collected extensive public feedback on the Community Centre, its facilities and its future and we are now entering the next phase: building design. See below for some of the results
Please join us and play your part in the next phase: You are invited to attend an ‘enquiry-by-design’ workshop to develop and draw possible design solutions for the upgrade works.
This is an interactive public meet up which will include breaking into groups to help form the design and of the upgrade for Aro Community Centre.
All sessions will be held at the Aro Valley Community Centre
Session1: Friday 9th June: 12.30-2.30pm
Session2: Friday 9th June: 4-6pm
Session 3: Saturday 10th June: 1-3pm
Session 4: Sunday 11th June: 1-3pm
This event is your opportunity to:
- Find out what ideas we’ve gathered as a community so far, what we’ve learned about our values and priorities, and the next steps in the participatory design process.
- Hear directly from the Architects who will carry out the design
- Discuss, develop and draw possible design and solutions with our consultants.
Our Place, Our Plan Workshop: April 1st
Results
Results from the Our Place, Our Plan workshop
Attendees at the most recent workshop in April sorted all the ideas gathered so far into groups and voted on the ideas to help determine a sense of common values and priorities. The full list of ideas and their numbers of votes is available to view here:
List of ideas
These will help inform the brief for the design. Some of the ideas speak to community development and social topics and events. Where possible these be incorporated into the design brief, and ideas these fall outside the scope of building works or the conditions of the funding for the project, they can be used as a starting point for other community development discussions in parallel to the site development project.
Site Development Report
Our consultants who have facilitated the participatory workshops and interviews have provided us with a summary report of the process so far, as well as recommendations for the next stages in the community led design process. You can read the report below:
Results
Results from the Our Place, Our Plan workshop
Attendees at the most recent workshop in April sorted all the ideas gathered so far into groups and voted on the ideas to help determine a sense of common values and priorities. The full list of ideas and their numbers of votes is available to view here:
List of ideas
These will help inform the brief for the design. Some of the ideas speak to community development and social topics and events. Where possible these be incorporated into the design brief, and ideas these fall outside the scope of building works or the conditions of the funding for the project, they can be used as a starting point for other community development discussions in parallel to the site development project.
Site Development Report
Our consultants who have facilitated the participatory workshops and interviews have provided us with a summary report of the process so far, as well as recommendations for the next stages in the community led design process. You can read the report below:
Festival of Place
On the weekend of 18-20 November we saw a series of events focused on developing Aro Valley's common spaces. This built on a month long programme led by participatory place makers, Anne Cunnigham and Cally O'Neil. These events were all part of the Festival of Place, which you can read more about here or in your copy of the Valley Voice. The next step is to work with the AVCC to reach deeper into the Aro Valley and connect with a whole range of people in the community.
If you are interested in volunteering during this phase please get in touch with Sarah at [email protected].
We would also love to hear from you about your ideas and opinions. Please fill out the questionaire to contibute to improving Aro Valley.
On the weekend of 18-20 November we saw a series of events focused on developing Aro Valley's common spaces. This built on a month long programme led by participatory place makers, Anne Cunnigham and Cally O'Neil. These events were all part of the Festival of Place, which you can read more about here or in your copy of the Valley Voice. The next step is to work with the AVCC to reach deeper into the Aro Valley and connect with a whole range of people in the community.
If you are interested in volunteering during this phase please get in touch with Sarah at [email protected].
We would also love to hear from you about your ideas and opinions. Please fill out the questionaire to contibute to improving Aro Valley.