The Omarama community has set up a ratepayers' group and asked it to foster ideas for redeveloping the town's Memorial Hall into a multipurpose community and medical centre.
About 50 people attended a public meeting in the hall on Saturday to discuss a medical service for the town and upgrading of the hall, and to elect a committee to form the Ratepayers and Residents Association of Omarama.
They heard about the prospect of having a resident district practitioner nurse and saw a concept plan for the hall.
Different ideas and uses for the hall were discussed, along with the possible cost.
Some ideas for using the hall included as a medical centre; a public library, by relocating books from the Omarama School; a civil defence and emergency headquarters; as well as catering for indoor sports, retaining the Plunket and play groups areas, installing a movie screen and upgrading the kitchen.
Tony Gloag even suggested the hall could be used for accommodation, particularly during major rowing regattas at Twizel's Lake Ruataniwha.
The Waitaki District Council has agreed to make about $190,000 available from the sale of the Omarama Medical Centre for redeveloping the hall, and the meeting agreed a motion accepting that money.
However, some people wanted to know more about the cost of the project, as well as discuss the hall's uses.
Ahuriri Community Board chairman Craig Dawson emphasised all ideas were wanted, irrespective of the cost.
Community board member Graham Sullivan, who was involved in the development of the community centre at Otematata, suggested Omarama should decide whether it wanted to redevelop the hall and elect a committee to look at all the ideas then prepare a proposal.
Hall committee chairman Richard Subtil said the aim was to get value for money and put in facilities which would ensure the hall was used.
Council property manager Dougall McIntyre said a concept redevelopment plan had been put to the community about 18 months ago and could be a starting point.
The committee elected is. -Chairman, Bill Gordon; vice-chairwoman, Michelle Patterson; secretary, Cathy Ferguson; fundraiser, Craig Dawson; secretary, Glenys Dawson; publicity, Ada Boiman; health convener, Richard Subtil; building convener, Hank Verheul; committee, Ann Patterson, Bridget Spencer, Ross Gold, Michael Blackstock and Pip Smith.
