WHARERANGI STATEMENT NEXT WEEK

Taupo Times, Volume 23, Issue 57, 18 July 1974, Page 1

WHARERANGI STATEMENT NEXT WEEK

A major announcement is to be made on the Wharerangi Old People's Home "within a week," says Salvation Army Captain A. N. Duffell. • The Salvation Army, Wharerangi Advisory Board officials and the borough council are still waiting for information from Wellington before a definite statement on developments can be made. The architect, Mr Graham Cooper, said yesterday negotiations with the contractor were in their final week.

"Until now things have not been progressing satisfactorily but now we are proceeding at a reasonable rate," said Mr Cooper.

"I am pleased with the events of last week." Mr Cooper hopes to travel to Wellington on

Monday to complete negotiations. He said he was unable to disclose how many tenders were received for the contract. According to the Mayor, Mr C. S. Currie, however, the response from local builders was poor. Negotiations over the fate of Wharerangi have been going on for some time. The project has been considered a "live" issue since February, 1972. Early in November last year, Captain Duffell said the need for the home had been urgent — two years previously — and now it was even more urgent. Thirty-four people had contacted him at that stage saying they would like to live in the home when it was completed. But the project has been plagued with delays — apparently caused by dep'artmental deliberations and over-commitment in the building industry. Late last year 12 local builders were invited tb submit tenders — all declined because of the "pressure of work."

The only tender received was far in excess of the estimated cost of the alterations and extensions to Dover House. A $120,000 Government subsidy had been earmarked for the home — but building costs continued to soar and delays to meet Health Department requirements added to the cost of the undertaking. The MP for Taupo, Mr J. W. Ridley, announced in March that to get a better price for Wharerangi the contract should be split into four and tenders could then be called for each contract. Later that month, following discussions with the Salvation Army Board in Wellington, Captain Duffell announced that work on the project would begin as soon as possible. Alterations were made in the original plans to include a 5-bed unit next to the motel block. The reason for the change to the plans was that the cost of alterations to Dover House was considered too expensive. In June this year a "substantial increase" in the Government subsidy to Wharerangi was announced. Following this increase from $120,000 to $285,000, Mr Currie urged builders to register for tendering for the project. The next announcement on the project is expected on Tuesday.