About 100 people attended the official opening of Ashburton’s civic centre and library Te Whare Whakatere on Friday.
On a sunny spring day, melodic tones of the Mount Hutt College choir sounded out across Baring Square East, prior to the opening beginning about 2pm.
The estimated $62.4 million building has become everything it was intended to be, and more, speakers said.
They described the building as the heart of Ashburton, and as representing the district’s collective strength.
After the crowd rose to sing the National Anthem, emcee and district council chief executive Hamish Riach invited whaikōrero for Arowhenua, Awatea Edwin of Rakaia, to the stage.
Edwin applauded the building’s opening as representative of the strong civic relationship between the community and its leaders.
The name of the building was a gift from Te Runanga o Arowhenua.
‘‘It’s a wonderful day to be here in the sunshine and support this opening,’’ Edwin said, standing in on behalf of Arowhenua ūpoko Tewera King. At the conclusion of his speech, Edwin and fellow Arowhenua whānau performed a waiata.
Rangitata MP James Meager was officially opening the building alongside Mayor Neil Brown. Meager was standing in for Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, after efforts to get the PM’s calendar aligned failed following the building opening in January.
‘‘I’m a substitute none-the-less, but he sends his well wishes and congratulations,’’ Meager said as he spoke to the crowd.
Meager acknowledged the work of former Rangitata MP Jo Luxton in being an advocate for the project, and the benefit of a $20 million shovel ready project grant from the former government. He reiterated his government’s commitment to delivering infrastructure in the regions, including Ashburton’s second bridge.
‘‘Hopefully when we open up the time capsule, the bridge is finished by then,’’ Meager joked, triggering a murmur of laughter.
The time capsule is part of the Te Whare Whakatere project. Filled with items, including this week’s newspapers, it will be installed behind glass on the ground floor of the building before being opened in 2078. Meager said Te Whare Whakatere was described as a living building. “Every time I have had the pleasure of visiting, it has been a hum of energy and spirit, and it has truly become the heart of the town and wider district.”
Mayor Neil Brown gave a timeline of the construction project and thanked all the people involved.
‘‘I think this building represents our collective strength as a district,’’ Brown said.
Bagpiper Colin Banks led the official party to Te Whare Whakatere, where an official opening plaque was unveiled.
