OUR HISTORY

In 1980 the current Cooks Beach Community Hall site was transferred to Council by South British Guardian Trust Company, R.M De Las Rivas and H.L Rees for use of a Community Hall.

Later that year, the Committee fund raised to relocate the former Whitianga Bank of New Zealand building on to the site for remodelling as a community hall. Council assisted this by guaranteeing a $10,000 loan. The land and buildings are owned by Council.

Since 1980 the Committee has been occupying the building and has been maintaining the building out of fund raising and by utilising part of its annual operating grant from Council.

In the 2019/2020 year the grant was $3500.00.

Alterations & Extensions

During the years there have been various improvements and alterations to the hall.

Enhancements over recent years include external painting, the replacing of the drapes to modern filter blinds, the installation of heat pumps and an improvement and tidying of the entrance ramp. 

Currently the Committee are working with Council to extend the existing deck area.  The proposed deck extension will enhance the level of service from the building by enabling approximately 150 people to use the building and deck area. 

This proposal is seen as an enhancement to the local service offering and to the Council’s asset. 

Consideration of a proposal has been submitted to the Thames Coromandel District Council by the Cooks Beach Community Centre Committee Incorporated to construct a deck extension onto the Hall.

Our responsibility will include obtaining working drawings and consents and fulfilling the usual Health and Safety requirements.  This will ensure the safety of workers and visitors to the site during the construction period. 

The Committee has been doing an excellent job of maintaining the building and active fundraising has commenced to assist with this planned project. A digital crowd fund-raiser has been proposed to enable the realisation of this project - November 2020 is the planned launch for this project; watch this space for further updates!

The Hall Committee would like to acknowledge the generous financial support from the Mercury Bay Community Board, the local community, Pub Charity, and the Lotteries Board which have enabled continued enhancements to be undertaken.

Please note that the express permission of various parties have been gained to utilise the photos on this website.  These photos should not be used by individuals for other purposes.

The Committee would like to acknowledge the couple who have allowed us to share their beautiful wedding photos on this site, and also Michael Gresham, a local resident, and hobby photographer, who has contributed many of the other beautiful shots of the local area.