Plans to relocate the city’s Royal New Zealand Navy reserve unit (HMNZS Toroa) in St Andrews St, New Zealand Army reserve units based in the 109-year-old Kensington Army Hall in Bridgman St, and the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) careers office were announced last year after HMNZS Toroa and the hall were identified as earthquake-prone.
Multimillion-dollar renovations began this month on the new regional facility at 84 Cumberland St, which will house the three units.
Retired staff sergeant Charlie Boyes, of Dunedin, said he was disappointed to hear the NZDF were moving out of the Kensington Army Hall, which was historically significant.
"I walked through those doors in 1958, at the age of 17. I wanted to be a soldier ... I was met by a grumpy [regimental sergeant major] and told to come back next year — which I did," he said.
"Many hundreds, thousands of young soldiers, men and women ... have used this facility to gain their way ahead. It turns them into good citizens, good soldiers."
Mr Boyes said he wanted to see the building brought up to earthquake standard and used as combined facility.
"[The hall] served the purpose for many years without any problems.
"It's well-situated, it's a huge building. They'll never get enough room in the other buildings as we have here."
"Why not do the required work?"
NZDF estate strategy, defence estate and infrastructure general manager Phil Gurnsey said Kensington Hall had significant health, safety and building code issues, in addition to being earthquake prone.
The disposal process was still being worked through, but there were no plans to demolish the building, he said.
"Options were considered to stay at a refurbished building, but at almost four times the expense of the preferred new facility, the cost was prohibitive."
He said the NZDF was aware of the Dunedin City Council’s plan to place a heritage listing on Kensington Hall and HMNZS Toroa’s buildings as part of the city’s district plan, however it had no bearing on the decision to vacate.
"The heritage issues associated with the site will be considered appropriately when the NZDF disposes of the property."
