Cromwell museum fit-out concepts revealed

New details and plans for the museum based at the new Cromwell Memorial Hall and potential fees to hire spaces in the broader complex have been revealed.

At the Cromwell Community Board meeting on Tuesday members received updates on the hall covering the museum fitout, fees and charges, and naming.

The concept design of the museum fit out presented to the board showed how the exhibition would follow a broad chronology.

It cover the story of Rākaihautū carving the land, through to the geological and natural history story, mahika kai, gold, the arrival of different groups of migrants, through the transformation of the landscape over time, the drowning of the town by the dam, and the wine, horticulture and conservation stories of the present day.

The stories of mana whenua would be woven throughout the exhibition.

Fit out of the museum, located in the new memorial hall and events centre will cost $1.6 million and has been funded by Central Lakes Trust ($1.1m), Otago Community Trust ($200,000) and Lotteries ($350,000).

Wellington based design company StoryInc is working closely with the Cromwell Museum Trust, CODC’s Transition Curator and staff to design the fitout for the new museum.

• The museum is based within the broader Cromwell Memorial Hall replacement. Concepts for the museum fit-out developed by StoryInc.

In 2024, the council agreed to plans to demolish the existing Cromwell Memorial Hall and build a replacement at a budget of $45.8m. The replacement is on track to open in July next year.

At Tuesday's meeting, the board also discussed initial fees and charges for the new venue.

The wider complex has six bookable spaces and the plan is to introduce tiered pricing ranging from free or donation-based community events, to ticketed community events and then commercial hire.

The six bookable spaces range from a research room, through to an auditorium which fits up to 500 people.

The fees proposed in the report to the board vary depending on the event and space with lower rates for free or by donation community events, a slightly higher rate for a ticketed community events, and higher again for commercial hire.

The report before the board suggested hiring the auditorium for a 10-hour block would cost $2800 at the commercial rate, $575 for a ticketed community event, and $500 for a free or by donation event while the “small space” for 10 hours would be $200 at the commercial rate and $90 for both community rates. The fees and charges schedule also included prices for hourly hire and five and 15-hour sessions.

However board members have asked staff to reassess the commercial rate, comparing it to other comparable venues.

• The memorial hall rebuild pictured in September this year.

Board member Mike Casey believed the commercial rates were too low.

“We’re talking $1800 for a 15-hour hire, I just think it’s too low and really under selling the quality of that facility.”

“I think the north star of this complex ... should be to grow the Cromwell community or the Cromwell economy.”

The board also discussed naming the venue and recommended the facility have a dual English and Te Reo name. Council staff are talking with Aukaha about the gifting of a Te Reo name from mana whenua and the board is looking at what an English name could be.

Board chair Anna Harrision told Crux after the meeting the board talked about a consultation process that would capture the necessary voices. This might include going out to groups and community drop-in sessions to capture opinions and ideas.

She said proposed names would be suggested at a board meeting in early February then, pending council approval later that month, be publicly consulted on in March and a decision would be made in April to ensure the facility opens with a name.

At today’s Central Otago District Council meeting, councillors received capex updates on the memorial hall project.

The report before the council shows, as of October a little more than $36m had been spent on the project to date with forecasted total spend below the $46m budget.