Closed-door debate on new Masterton town hall

Masterton councillors have voted in a public-excluded meeting to pursue an invited tender process for the construction of a new town hall.

Selected companies would be invited to put forward tender applications in the new year, with construction expected to begin shortly after a preferred supplier had been selected and a contract signed.

A council statement said "strong debate" was generated during the meeting but no division was called on the vote, which meant votes for and against the motion were not recorded.

The report would also remain in public exclusion.

In 2024, $25million was set out in the Long-Term Plan to support the demolition, rubble removal, and creation of a green space in line with the resource consent, which had been completed.

The remaining budget was to be used to construct the new town hall.

Mayor Bex Johnson said the council had investigated whether such a venue can be delivered within this budget and, "with strong project discipline, we can".

She said a new venue would support events and activities in Masterton for years to come and that it would be a space where the community could come together to connect and celebrate.

"While the budget covers the cost of a fully functioning venue, we have heard there is interest from the community in supporting fundraising efforts for the Town Hall," she said.

"We will soon be launching a formal charitable trust that will support fundraising and investment for the new town hall, both during construction and once it is complete."

The proposed venue was intended to be a multi-purpose facility with a capacity of up to 1000 people depending on the event configuration.