5.8.1 Whirinaki Learning and Enterprise and Information Centre - Project Details:
Description:
This project stemmed from the UNITEC Village Concept plan and involves converting a building in the old Minginui Forestry compound to become the Enterprise and Information Centre (left) for the valley. This together with the associated Nursery Operational area (right) will provide a place where visitors and in particular school trips can spent a day even when the weather is bad. It could also be a secure parking and pick up point for any tourist activitiesoffered by people in the valley. For this to be viable from a visitor interaction point of view its viability is dependent on the Nursery being manned daily.
It is possible that other buildings on this site could also be used for other supporting activities. The large workshop (left) has a gantry crane and could possibly suit large timber milling or carving operations. The vehicle bays (right) could possibly house a range of old forestry, saw milling, farming and colonial era equipment to provide a local museum facility. (see example below) These other buildings had asbestos roofs and were a health liability from Government Forestry days holding up progress until they were replaced in Feb 2008.
Our initial ideas are that the building (click to see floorplan) will provide:
 An Information display area (approx 6mx 8m)
To contain panels done by the tamariki of the Kura, Kohanga Reo and Whanau Support Yuth / holiday programmes over time to take visitors on a learning journey depicting the likes of Creation stories, Legends, Journeys of Toi, Migration, Marangaranga people, Ngati Whare History, European Colonisation, Roading, Forestry, Farming, Education, Tipu Ake, Kaitiakitanga, Forest information, Village plans etc
A secure retail area (3m x 6 m)
This could be a serving area behind a counter used to provide secure office, retail product display and storage and perhaps tea and coffee making facilities.
A Enterprise establishment mezzanine floor area ( 4m x 6 m)
This is a securable self contained area that could support the establishment of an Enterprise ( eg Web Multimedia Enterprise project)
 An Arts and craft area ( 6m x 12m)
Could be used for community groups for weaving, flax work, carving activities, youth holiday program activities etc.
A sunny North facing outdoor area (8m x 5 m)
Designed and built by UNITEC students using local materials to provide an outdoor space complete with seating barbeque and shelter.
Outcomes expected
- There will be facilities to support a range of enterprise activities by community members
- Whirinaki Forest will again have a focal point for visitors
- Our children will be sharing their knowledge and place with artwork etc
- There will be sufficient activity going on to ensure it is open for visitors most days
Start Date: Work Commenced by Unitec Students Sept 2004
Expected Completion: First Quarter 2005
Budget:
As this is a continuation project following the UNITEC Community Concept Plan we have taken the that was budgeted and unspent on this project to complete the job. It will be used to purchase the materials we need for our planned working bees, namely:
$2000 for prof services - reglazing etc
$2000 for timber and lining materials (plywood and bats)
$1500 for Windows, fittings, electrical , plumbing etc
$ 500 for sausages and food etc for working bee bbq's
$2000 for information display panels (for our children to illustrate)
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$8000 totol cost to complete refurbishement to a useable stage.
Nominal Project Leader: Andy Blick
Project Team: A wide range of community volunteers on working bees will complete this restoration,
Issues Register:
| Flag |
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Action |
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Signoff |
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nov 05 |
Some concern about site toxicity |
Opened toxin investigation project |
DR/AB |
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10/12/04 |
Whole site closed by possible toxin hazard |
temp suspension - await test results, may be able to lift in this area to allow limited restoration work to continue. |
AB |
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Progress Log
| Date |
Details of event or action |
By |
| 1/12/05 |
UNITEC project closed this one opened to complete centre. |
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| 10/12/04 |
Site closed by possible toxin hazard |
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| Feb 08 |
MfE replaces fibrolite roofing on compound buiildings freeing them for use |
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