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"Second Thoughts About $3.4 Million Cost"

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Description: This image was published in the July 2nd, 1978 edition of the Tribune weekly newspaper.

The caption read: “The Civic Centre, now in an advanced state of construction. Stage 2B looks likely to be trimmed - possibly to the tune of $2 million”

Extracts from the article:” Revision of stage 2B of Palmerston North’s Civic Centre is being examined by the Palmerston North City Council, with the possibility of cutting about $2 million from the cost of the building project. The council decided, at its meeting on Monday night, that its executive officers should prepare a report on various alternatives to provide public amenities in a modified stage 2B. This decision followed a sub-committee recommendation. The committee met on June 9.”

“The mayor, Mr Brian Elwood, said stage 2B had been caught up in a mass of inflation. He had thought "long and anxiously” about whether plans should be modified, but said the city should not be asked to go ahead with the $3.4 million 2B plan.”

“Cr Maureen Bird tried to move an amendment, along the lines of the subcommittee’s recommendation, but with the additional suggestion that a planned creche could be extended. However, Mr Elwood said construction of the creche had already started and Cr Bird's plans would call for extensive redesign work. They could also involve more building in the Square, something the council had said it would not do. Cr Sam Mihaere moved two points of order about Cr Bird s proposals, and said the council had made its decisions about what facilities were to be provided and where they should be. "Fiddling about” with them would only cost more money, and it was too late for rethinking projects that were already underway, he said. Cr Pat Kelliher then raised the question of the Civic Centre’s cost. He said he had been unable to find out the total cost of the venture. Four years ago, he said, the cost had been predicted at $10 million. Cr Gordon Kear interjected, and said the city treasurer had recently issued an estimate of the costs, and councillors had received it. The cost, he said, was $7,254,000. Cr Kelliher was warned to stick to business in hand. Cr Robyn Leemtng questioned the ethics of Cr Bird’s amendment, Cr George Serallach quoted a Spanish proverb, and Cr John Boldt said he was "amazed" at some of the councillors’ talk. Cr Bird's amendment was then put to the vote, and lost.”

These images form part of the Manawatū Evening Standard Negative Collection. Unfortunately, only negatives between April and December 1978 are held.