Media Release
9 February 2006

New facility unites community

Six years of planning and building will be realised on Saturday, when the Sturges West Community House is officially open to the public.

Celebrations start at 10am with an official opening ceremony and tours of the house, a bouncy castle, face painting and sausage sizzle.

The house at 58 Summerland Drive, Henderson is the result of six years of work by a local committee who undertook extensive consultation and discussion to find out what the local community wanted in the facility.

In contrast to other community facilities, the house blends in with the surrounding landscape, which is exactly how the residents wanted it.

“The community wanted a house, rather than a centre; a place to meet, learn and discuss with their neighbours. We are currently finding out what courses and programmes the community wants run at the house in the coming months,” says Sturges West Community House organising committee Chairman David Hallett.

“The house includes a LearnIT Online learning centre, arts and crafts room as well as a large room for meetings,” he says.

Waitakere Councillor Penny Hulse congratulates the organising committee on a job well done.

“By talking with your local community, and finding out what they wanted, you have created a stunning house that will be used for many years to come.”

She also echoes Mayor Bob Harvey’s comments made at an earlier blessing ceremony for the house, about Waitakere’s newest communities being supported by adequate facilities that allow them to grow and develop.

“When the subdivisions of the sixties and seventies were created, they were stand-alone groups of houses, unsupported by community facilities. Today we create facilities that allow people to meet, work and play as a part of their local community,” she says.

ENDS

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