The MacLean Park Kiosk at Paraparaumu Beach, damaged by fire a year ago, has just reopened after a $72,000 restoration.
The building has been fully restored following a community call for it to be saved and the occasion was marked with an open day from 9am to 12 noon on Saturday which coincided with 15th anniversary celebrations for the Paraparaumu Beach market.
The event was an opportunity for people to have a look at what’s been done to restore the kiosk and to engage in the process of deciding the best use of the kiosk, says Paraparaumu-Raumati Community Board Chair Fiona Vining.
“Given the huge public interest in the repair of the kiosk the Community Board wanted to give the public a chance to come and look inside the kiosk, as many people have only ever seen it from the outside.”
The Community Board is also keen to hear from community groups interested in using the kiosk.
“We’d like to use the open day to begin discussions with the community as to the best uses of the kiosk in future.
“We will be talking to community volunteers previously based in the kiosk and other interested groups. We believe the kiosk could be used for a number of purposes to provide the best benefit to the community. It’s quite possible more than one group could use it.”
Kāpiti Open Forum spokesperson Dale Evans led a petition of 2500 signatories to save the Kiosk and while he is pleased it has been reopened he says the job is not yet finished.
“It has taken a year for KCDC to restore the Kiosk. Unfortunately they didn’t feel the need to install water sprinklers.”
Mr Evans says “It is disappointing that the installation of water sprinklers was not a part of KCDC’s plan, given that it was destroyed by fire in the first place.
“Should the Kiosk burn again, another $72,000 to repair would fall on the raterpayers as KCDC do not insure for damage under $100,000,” says Mr Evans who added the public should contact the community board and council and tell them to install proper fire protection.
