The public got a chance to look through the new Gore District Council offices yesterday (Friday, January 30) before staff move in next week, and were blown away by the transformation. 

“Who wouldn’t want to work here?” exclaimed one visitor say to his friends, as they surveyed the new kitchen/eating area.

The new offices are a stark contrast to the old ones, with sleek lines, tall glass windows that lets the natural light flood in and indoor plants dotted around everywhere, giving the rooms tranquil atmosphere whilst helping to purify the air. 

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Mary Johnstone has lived in Gore for 64 years and said she thought the new office space was “fantastic.”

She’s now looking forward to seeing the adjoining library re-modelled, which is scheduled to have demolition begin in April 2021. 

The offices took 12 months to rebuild after many years in the planning phase. 

Set on 1400m2 of land, the new building is 210m² larger than the original offices and will accommodate 45 staff over two floors. 

Gore District Mayor Tracy Hicks said the redevelopment had transformed the original office building. Built in the 1960s by the Gore Borough Council, the two-storey building had very little done to it over the years, apart from the new council chamber and foyer added in 1994.

The new-look Gore District Council administration building.

“We now have a building that will meet the expectations of today’s customers and provide the technology and space for staff to work more effectively.”

Mr Hicks said the council was very pleased with the transformation and wanted to share it with residents.

The 12-month construction period ran about six weeks longer than expected, due to interruptions from last year’s COVID-19 restrictions, causing supply chain issues for specialist materials. 

Chief executive Stephen Parry said the forecast final cost was $6.02 million – about $20,000 over budget. 

The project will be funded by loan. The cost to ratepayers is currently 77cents per ratepayer a year.

When asked if what the thought about the project being slightly over budget during the tour, ratepayers Des Allott and Jim Creighton, who were touring the building, said they weren’t concerned at all. 

“[Percentage wise] $20,000 is nothing in a big build like this,” Mr Allott said. 

Mr Parry said as with any major renovation project there were some unforeseen items absorbed into the budget. 

Visitors check out the new Gore District Council offices during an open afternoon yesterday.

“However, there have been a few genuine extras we’ve requested, such as duress alarms for staff safety and technology for the chambers.” 

Some of the features of the building include audio visual systems in all the meeting rooms, air conditioning and new ergonomic furniture.

There are also seven meeting rooms, five for staff/public use, and two interview rooms in the foyer. The foyer also features two kiosks where customers will be able to access the council’s online services.

The rebuild has involved nine local contractors or businesses. Ajax Builders carried out the building component of the contract, while other Gore companies delivered work in such as areas as decorating, timber joinery and roofing.

The project has been managed by Signal Management Group, a Dunedin-based company the council has had a long relationship with going back to the construction of the Gore Aquatic Centre.

The Gore District Council will welcome its first customers into the new building on Wednesday February 3, with the official opening scheduled for March.