About the project
Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub is one of Whakatāne District's most loved and used community assets. The hub includes:
- Whakatāne War Memorial Hall (the district's primary indoor sports court space, event and function venue, theatre and civil defence facility)
- Rex Morpeth Park
- Rugby Park
- Whakatāne Aquatic and Fitness Centre
- Whakatāne Arts and Craft Centre
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. It's the district's busiest community facility.
While the hub has served us well, significant upgrades and maintenance are now required to meet health and safety standards, address decades of deferred maintenance, and meet existing and growing demands for indoor court and events space.
Project phases
Following the 2024-2034 Long Term Plan decisions, the project is structured in two phases:
Phase 1: 2024-2028 (Current phase)
Up to $7.8 million allocated for:
- Functional upgrades - health and safety improvements and works to enhance functionality
- Concept plan finalisation - developing an affordable concept plan aligned with investment objectives
- External funding plan development - to support the major redevelopment phase
Phase 2: From 2029 (Subject to funding)
- Major redevelopment works
- Phase 2 will only proceed once external funding is secured and Council makes a formal stop/go decision through the 2027-2037 Long Term Plan process (scheduled for June 2027)
A new approach
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, committing $7.8 million to essential upgrades. This staged investment responds directly to the community's message: fix the urgent issues first, then look at the big redevelopment.
Current progress
Project governance
A specialist Project Steering Group has been established to strategically guide the project and provide expert input. The group includes:
- Elected Council representatives
- Community Board representation
- Sport Bay of Plenty representation
- Independent experts in infrastructure and project delivery
- Ngāti Awa representation
- Senior members of Whakatāne District Council leadership team
Understanding the condition of our facilities
Significant assessment and scoping work has been undertaken to understand the condition, safety, accessibility and functional performance of the Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub. This work has confirmed areas of extensive asset deterioration and outdated facility design across the site.
The Whakatāne War Memorial Hall has emerged as the most critical priority due to its concentration of health and safety issues, functionality and accessibility barriers, and operational constraints - while also being the most widely used facility within the hub.
Progress you can see - work completed
A targeted programme of works kicked off earlier this year to address critical maintenance and safety needs. These core fixes tackle the worst problems first, making the facility safer and more usable for everyone.
Works completed to date include:
- New energy-efficient LED stadium lighting (thanks to Trust Horizon)
- Replacement of the reception area roof - ending years of leaks
- Removal of old asbestos from bathrooms and foyer areas
- Repair of damaged ceiling panels
Current works
Sports field lighting is being installed on the main field at Rugby Park, thanks to a generous grant from Trust Horizon. This work will be completed in time for the 2025 rugby season.
Future functional upgrades
Additional functional improvements are being planned and will be delivered in two tranches:
Tranche 1 (Current - October 2025)
Works that can proceed without impacting facility use or concept plan decisions
Tranche 2 (Scheduled late 2026)
Works that require facility closure or may be impacted by the concept plan, including:
- Health and safety improvements within the Little Theatre
- Making the Whakatāne War Memorial Hall watertight
- Lighting improvements at Rugby Park
Note: Tranche 2 works will require facility closures. Affected users will be contacted well in advance to discuss impacts, timing, and alternative arrangements. Timing is dependent on consents and the adoption of a preferred concept plan.
Concept plan development
Looking at the bigger picture
While immediate fixes are being delivered, we're also finalising a Concept Plan for the wider 17-hectare Recreation Hub. Recreation Sport Leisure Consultancy (RSL) has been appointed to develop concept plan options that address:
- Shortfall of indoor courts
- Lack of parking
- Poor walking and cycling access into the Hub
- End-of-life toilet facilities
This Concept Planning work is underpinned by feedback from the 2024-34 Long Term Plan and responds to the current economic climate. The Concept Plan options and associated cost estimates currently in development will help inform future investment decision-making.
Investment objectives
The concept plan will be assessed against these key objectives:
- Maximise use of the recreation hub by ensuring it is fit for purpose and flexible
- Enhance user experience of the recreation hub
- Future-proof for growth and change
- Maximise value - demonstrate value for money from an economic viability and operational sustainability perspective
- Strategic investment - address identified need with appropriate evidence
- Network approach - appropriate role in local and sub-regional spaces network
- Partnership and collaboration - increase opportunities for beneficial partnerships including co-funding
Timeline
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the 'Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub'?
The Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub ecompasses 17 hectares including the Whakatāne War Memorial Hall, Rex Morpeth Park, Rugby Park, Whakatāne Aquatic and Fitness Centre, Whakatāne Arts and associated facilities and carparking.
- Why is this project needed?
Chronic underinvestment has left facilities inadequate for modern needs. Urgent health and safety upgrades are required, and the Hub needs to meet growing demands for indoor court space, events, and community activities while maintaining its role as an emergency management facility.
- Why are we doing this?
The Hall is the district's busiest community facility, with hundreds of people using it every week for basketball, theatre, emergency management training, and community events.
Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub is one of Whakatāne District's most loved and used community assets. It's a special place where memories are made, and lifelong friendships and skills are developed. The hub is used by a large cross-sector of our communities, including those from outside Whakatāne District. The Whakatāne War Memorial Hall in particular is a really important facility as it is the district’s primary indoor courts space, event/function facility, theatre, and civil defence facility. It has served us well however, the space isn't fit for purpose anymore.
The hall and theatre haven't been updated for 50 years and changes are required in response to varying uses and challenges. For example, basketball and volleyball are two of the most popular sports in our district, but demand for court space exceeds supply. This means our tamariki and rangatahi are missing out. In addition, the Rugby Park grandstand requires seismic strengthening while significant maintenance and upgrades are now required to various aspects within the hub to meet health and safety standards, meet existing and growing demands for indoor court and events space and to generate economic benefits for the wider district.
The redevelopment of the Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub is not a new project. Over the past decade, our communities voiced their support for a financial commitment to upgrade Whakatāne War Memorial Hall. In addition, improvements to the broader recreation precinct (Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub) were included in the most recent (2021-2031) Long Term Plan budget. We are now at a stage where these commitments must be delivered on to keep the facilities and hub open and functioning safely.
- What area is included?
The plans look at changes to Whakatāne War Memorial Hall, the 17 hectares of surrounding reserve land at Rex Morpeth Park and Rugby Park, Whakatāne Aquatic and Fitness Centre and Whakatāne Arts and Craft Centre - collectively known as the Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub.
All of the concept plan options provide for a wide scope of potential changes to the existing spaces and facilities within the Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub. The options range from doing the bare minimum to maintain the existing facilities, to a full redevelopment which proposes alternative locations for an events and indoor sports space within the existing park. In addition, one option provides for the theatre to be moved offsite to an alternative location.
Although implementation of any of the concept plan options would be a staged approach, we are taking a comprehensive approach at examining options for the area to ensure our short-term investment decisions contribute to great long-term outcomes.
- Have you talked to the community about this?
Yes, we've had extensive engagement with the community over several years:
2017 - Whakatāne Ki Mua consultation
Communities told us what makes Whakatāne a great place to live and identified recreation and leisure opportunities, public facilities, and community connection as top priorities.2020 - Te Ara Hou consultation
Feedback highlighted the importance of creating spaces for activities and events, family-friendly facilities, enhancing natural environment connections, and promoting green spaces and parks.2021-2031 Long Term Plan
Council made a commitment to upgrade the Whakatāne War Memorial Hall and develop a concept plan for the Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub.February 2023 - Initial engagement
We asked for your thoughts about what the future of the Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub could look like. We worked with key users and the wider community to better understand current uses and consider needs and wants.October 2023 - Concept plan options consultation
Three concept plan options and an "enhanced status quo" option were released for public consultation. Feedback from workshops and consultations informed a preferred concept plan option.April 2024 - Long Term Plan 2024-2034 consultation
The Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub redevelopment was one of four key questions. We sought feedback on the scale, timing and funding of the project. Community consultation revealed mixed views - while many agreed on the urgent need for upgrades, some called for deferral due to financial pressures. However, strong support remained for redevelopment, with many emphasising the Hub's critical role in recreation, arts, emergency management, and community wellbeing.Current approach - 2025 onwards
As this project has been considered in various forms over many years, a significant amount of community feedback has already been gathered. We're now focusing engagement on:- Key user groups - direct engagement with facility users on the revised concept plan and functional upgrades
- Public consultation - planned to align with the development of the funding plan through a future Long Term Plan or Annual Plan process, focusing on the affordability of the proposed development
Previous community feedback continues to inform the development of revised concept plan options that are more affordable and aligned with community priorities.
- What is the total cost of the project?
Phase 1 has a budget of $7.8 million over four years (2024-2028) for essential upgrades and concept planning.
Phase 2 was previously estimated at around $100 million. Revised concept plan options are being developed to be more affordable and respond to current economic conditions. Cost estimates for these revised options will inform future decision-making.
- When will major construction work begin?
Major redevelopment (Phase 2) won't commence until external funding is secured, estimated around 2029.
Phase 1 functional upgrades are already underway and delivering results, including completed roof replacement, new LED stadium lighting, asbestos removal, and ceiling repairs. Sports field lights at Rugby Park are currently being installed.
- What's the difference between the immediate upgrades and the long-term redevelopment?
Phase 1 (current - $7.8 million): Essential health, safety, and functionality upgrades happening now. These works address critical maintenance needs and make the facility safer and more usable immediately.
Phase 2 (from 2029 - subject to funding): Major redevelopment of the wider Hub to address capacity issues like indoor court shortfall, parking, and accessibility. This phase depends on securing external funding and a formal Council decision in 2027.
Phase 1 ensures the Hall keeps improving now, while Phase 2 planning addresses the long-term vision.
- What happens if external funding isn't secured?
There's a formal decision point built into the 2027-37 Long Term Plan. At that time, Council will reassess the full redevelopment and available funding.
Phase 1 (current works) will continue regardless, ensuring the Hall keeps improving now. But the green light for Phase 2 (major redevelopment) will depend on that 2027 review, including securing outside funding support.
This prudent approach guarantees that Council won't over-commit to an expensive project without backing - yet keeps the long-term vision alive.
- How will the project affect rates?
The $7.8 million Phase 1 budget is already included in the 2024-34 LTP rates forecasts. Phase 2 costs would be subject to the 2027 decision and would require external funding to minimise ratepayer impact.
- What will the final buildings look like?
The detailed design will be worked through once a concept plan option has been selected and approved.
- Will you look at access and car parking?
Yes. The Concept Plan addresses several key issues across the Hub including indoor court shortfall, parking, walking and cycling access, and aging facilities.
Parking, access, and overall accessibility are key priorities in the concept plan options being developed.
- What external funding sources are being pursued?
A dedicated funding plan is being developed that will identify potential partners and funding sources including central government, regional development funds, and private partnerships.
- Has any external funding been confirmed yet?
Trust Horizon has already supported new stadium lighting. Additional funding commitments will be sought as part of the formal funding plan development.
- What happens to existing users during development?
User needs are a key consideration in planning. The phased approach aims to maintain services where possible, and alternative arrangements will be developed for any periods when facilities are unavailable.
- Who do I contact for more information?
If you have any questions about the project or would like more information, please email us at ourpeopleourspaces@whakatane.govt.nz