The Whakatāne War Memorial Hall (the Hall) is finally getting the attention the community has been asking for - with long-promised upgrades now underway and more significant improvements on the horizon.
In an update to the Whakatāne District Council (the Council) today (4 December 2025), the Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub project team confirmed that real progress is being made at the district’s busiest community facility and outlined what comes next. It’s a major step forward after years of discussion and planning.
“This building sees hundreds of people through its doors every week - school kids playing basketball, theatre groups rehearsing, emergency management teams training, community celebrations of every kind,” says General Manager Community Experience, Alexandra Pickles. “For too long we planned but didn’t deliver. That’s different now.”
Through the 2024-34 Long Term Plan - shaped by nearly 1,000 public submissions - Councillors made revitalising the Hall a top priority. They committed $7.8 million over four years (2024-2028) to health, safety, accessibility and functionality upgrades across the Hall, Rugby Park, and Rex Morpeth Park and finalising a proposal for a wider Hub redevelopment. This staged investment, known as Phase 1, responds directly to the community’s message: fix the urgent issues first, then then consider the broader vision for the site. That work is well underway.
A targeted programme of works kicked off earlier this year to address critical maintenance and safety needs. Progress to date includes, new energy-efficient LED stadium lighting thanks to Trust Horizon, a replacement of the reception area roof ending years of leaks, removal of old asbestos from bathrooms and foyer areas, and repair of damaged ceiling panels. Even Rugby Park next door is getting attention - new sports field lights are being installed before Christmas, funded by an additional grant from Trust Horizon.
“These core fixes tackle the worst problems first, making the facility safer and more usable for everyone,” Pickles says. “By getting the fundamentals right, we’re building confidence that long-promised upgrades are actually happening.”
Alexandra says while these immediate fixes are being delivered, the Council is also looking at the bigger picture.
“We’re finalising a Concept Plan for the wider 17-hectare Recreation Hub to address the other issues that exist in the wider Hub such as a shortfall of indoor courts, lack of parking, poor walking and cycling access into the Hub, and end-of-life toilet facilities” says Ms Pickles.
This Concept Planning work is underpinned by feedback via the 2024-34 Long Term Plan and responds to the current economic climate. These Concept Plan options and associated cost estimates currently in development, will help inform future investment decision making for the redevelopment of the Hub. This decision-making process will be integrated into the 2027-37 Long Term Plan deliberations.
“Councillors have already built in a formal decision point in 2027 - meaning they’ll reassess the full redevelopment and available funding as part of the next LTP cycle.”
Phase 1 (the current works) will continue regardless, ensuring the Hall keeps improving now. But the green light for Phase 2 (the major redevelopment of the Hub) will depend on that 2027 review, including securing outside funding support to help pay for it.
“This prudent approach guarantees that the Council won’t over-commit to an expensive project without backing - yet keeps the long-term vision alive.”