Contractors asked to quote for events centre build

The Northland Regional and Whangarei District Councils are calling for expressions of interest for a $16 million multi-purpose events centre at Okara Park.

The Councils will this week ask contractors to look at the project on a design-build basis.

This means spending is capped at $16 million, and building firms will vie for who can provide the biggest bang for the ratepayers’ buck.

This approach was unanimously backed by Northland’s three Mayors – Stan Semenoff, Wayne Brown and Neil Tiller – and Northland Regional Council Chairman Mark Farnsworth at a meeting of the Northland Mayoral Forum in Whangarei yesterday (Monday June 9).

The meeting agreed that testing the market in this way was likely to come up with the best result for the region.

Newspaper advertisements will be placed seeking expressions of interest from contractors. Local construction firms will also be invited to submit proposals.

The closing date for expressions of interest will be Monday July 7.

Both Mr Farnsworth and Mr Semenoff say the outcome of that process should give the two Councils their clearest steer yet as to whether an events centre proposal is viable.

Mr Farnsworth reiterated the Regional Council’s support continues to be conditional on its financial commitment being limited to $13 million, the need for any facility to be truly multi-use and independently managed.

Mr Semenoff says Whangarei ratepayers’ $3 million contribution is also capped, but he is optimistic the combined $16 million will provide an events centre to satisfy all requirements.