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Retrofitting facilities Building sustainability - reuse, repurpose, recycle Why retrofit Facilities that are already established as a community asset can be updated to extend their lives. This may often be in response to a shift from single to multi-use or to create a hub. Retrofitting existing facilities can be cost effective, reduce the impact of waste through demolition, and reduce CO2 emissions by avoiding new build. Improved building efficiency is another potential benefit.
What can be retrofitted? Sometimes buildings need development to remediate an issue: leaking pools, out of date changing facilities, inaccessibility. Earthquake strengthening and meeting new/changing needs may both be drivers for retrofitting. In other cases, a building can be transformed from one use (packing sheds) into another – as in the case of the Motueka Recreation Centre.
Case studies The following case studies provide examples of cost-effective redevelopments of a range of facilities. While they reflect a range of budgets, they will also provide inspiration about what’s possible through some effective community planning and creative design.
Walter Nash Centre the heartbeat of a community
Figure 1 Walter Nash Centre - photo: Warren and Mahoney
The first of its kind in Wellington, the redeveloped Centre opened in 2018 at a cost of $12 million and about a million people per year have since visited. Accommodating a number of sporting codes, the new Centre offers five multi-purpose indoor courts, a new library, music studio, meeting spaces and a café. Outside there are a further 11 courts and space for up to 205 additional carparks for large events. It’s a warm, welcoming and safe place for our community Tania Cohen, Principal Taita Central School
Motueka Recreation Centre revamping and creative programming The Motueka recreation centre began life as an apple packing house, and first opened as a recreation centre in 1987. The diverse facility, upgraded at a cost of $2 million in 2010, now contains a rollerskating rink, fitness centre, sports stadium, indoor climbing wall, outdoor netball courts, meeting space and two martial art dojos. The Centre neighbours Goodman Park and the local BMX and Go kart tracks. The climbing wall, constructed in 1997, got a much-needed upgrade completed in 2016.
Hutt City took on a serious upgrade and redevelopment of the old Walter Nash centre, integrating the new development with other facilities as part of a strong move towards integrated facilities functioning as community hubs within the city, combining the Walter Nash Centre, Taita Community Hall, Taita Community Library and Hutt Valley Netball Courts.. “Through these hubs we’re able to provide a
better range of services to the community from one central location, but on top of that, they become the heartbeat of the community,” Matt Reid, General Manager, City and Community Services
NZRA Insights Report – Fight, Flight or Freeze in the Red Zone
Figure 2Motueka Recreation Centre. Source: Facebook page
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