In line with the Government’s 2004 Building Act, the council carried out structural investigations into four of its buildings which were being investigated for upgrade work, to access how they would perform should a moderate seismic event occur.
Chief Executive Officer, Gavin Ion, said seismic and structural engineering reports had been completed on the council owned, Huntly War Memorial Hall, Huntly Civic Centre, Raglan Office & Library and Ngaruawahia Library.
The report findings show:
The Huntly Civic Centre building meets the appropriate national building standards and council’s own earthquake policy.
However, the structural engineering reports received on the Huntly War Memorial Hall and Raglan Office & Library buildings recommended some reinforcing work be carried out at the rear of both buildings.
Mr Ion said the council had already approved and budgeted repair work to be carried out on the Huntly War Memorial Hall later this year.
Consulting Engineer, John Dale, has confirmed that he has no safety concerns about the Raglan Office & Library building.
“Raglan residents will continue to be able to access all council and library services from our Bow Street building. We will carry out further work to better understand the options for the rear area.”
Mr Ion said.
The Ngaruawahia Library was closed in April after the structural engineering report showed some of the building’s walls had insufficient reinforcing in the event of an earthquake.
They’ve upgraded the Town Hall roof, but don’t seem to have assessed it for a quake.
Gavin Ion, CEO of Waikato District Council has provided the following answer:
1. Please confirm that this means that the Raglan Town Hall building has been cleared?
Under the council’s Earthquake Prone, Dangerous and Insanitary Buildings Policy we are required to assess any buildings which the council owns that were built pre 1935. Two buildings have already had structural assessments completed, the Ngaruawahia Library and the Huntly Civic Centre.
The council plans to carry out a structural assessment on the Raglan Town Hall. We are currently working on a timeframe and will keep the community informed.
I have asked WDC about the Raglan Town Hall.