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The East Otago Community, Sports and Cultural Centre (EOCSCC) is a multi use complex with a medical centre, community centre and service centre as well as the park next door. It is a project that has been in the pipeline for more than ten years and has finally come about through close consultation with the East Otago community.

Who will use it

The wider East Otago area stretches from the Kilmog in the south to the Shag River near Dunback in the north. It has a population of around 3,500.

When the EOCSCC was first conceived, it was hoped that it would become a hub for people from all parts of this area, not only those in the Dunedin city catchment.

The centre will be used by all members of the community for all kinds of events, from weddings and 21sts to school plays and fundraisers. Halfway between Dunedin and Oamaru, the location also lends itself to some exciting inter-school sports matches.

Design brief

After ten years of kicking the idea around, it was decided that the best idea would be to start from scratch. DCC staff went back to the community to find out what they actually wanted in a community centre.

The doctors who were renting space from the DCC were already discussing plans for upgrading their building so it seemed logical to have all the services under one umbrella.

Baker Garden Architects completed their design closely following the brief laid out by the community. There is room for functions, meetings and catering as well as room to expand if needed in the future.

How much is it costing - and who's paying?

With a total project cost of $4.4 million, the community has shown its enthusiasm for the Centre by raising $700, 000. The balance has been allocated to the project by the DCC through the Annual Plan process, meaning no extra cost to ratepayers.

Who will own and run the Centre?

While the EOCSCC is owned by the DCC, the community will set up a management committee to oversee the day-to-day running. This will include bookings, cleaning and setting charges for the various areas.

The Medical Centre is run by the East Otago Health Trust who will lease their buildings from the DCC.

Construction

The old buildings on the site were demolished just before Christmas 2007 and construction started in January of 2008.

As of March 2009, the construction is approximately 85% complete. The centre has a recognisable shape with steel trusses for the main hall roof and concrete slabs and panels in place.

The building contractor, Stevenson and Williams, is expecting construction to remain on schedule for completion by around May 2009. You can expect to see coverage of the large opening do!