Demolition of Masterton's town hall will likely take seven months. Photo: Piers Fuller
Demolition of Masterton's earthquake-prone town hall will likely take seven months, the council's indicative project timeline shows.
The timeline was a requirement of the resource consent for the demolition, as determined by a commissioner earlier this year.
Once demolished, work would begin on the council's public space activation plan in April 2026.
This was estimated to take two months, with the space scheduled to be available for public use in June 2026.
The Public Space Activation Plan, which could be viewed at whatsup.mstn.govt.nz, would transform the space into "Feastival Wairarapa" - a vibrant festival-themed space centred on food, music, and community gathering.
Elements included a temporary grandstand for events, built-in benches, tables and chairs, lawn games, scaffolding, a shipping container bar/cafe, and fairy lights.
The design period for a new replacement building on the town hall site was set to begin in October 2026 and this period would last between 9-12 months, although dates were yet to be confirmed by the council planning team as the project developed.
The indicative timeline said construction of the new replacement building would begin in October 2027 and would last 18 months.
The town hall project was included in the council's 2024-34 Long Term Plan.
As decided by a majority vote, the total budget for demolition, an activation plan, and a new building was $25 million.
Construction company Rider Levett Bucknall was awarded the contract for a quantity surveyor for the project in July.
In the contract brief, Masterton District Council said the quantity surveyor would provide a full and comprehensive service across the full duration of the project including demolition and establishment, design and consent, and construction.
It would be the company's responsibility to ensure stakeholders were "satisfied that the final design solution for the Town Hall and Municipal Buildings meets or exceeds MDC and community needs", the contract brief said.
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