Reclaim the Hardwick Smith Lounge for our Community

$5,000 goal

No donations

Started over a year ago

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Support the Belmont community to reclaim the Hardwick Smith Lounge from the Hutt City Council and return it to community control

Lower Hutt, Wellington

Under the control of the Hutt City Council, the lounge has deteriorated to the point it was necessary a few years ago to close it. The Council currently has no funds to repair the building, and there is no provision in the ten year plan, so it is destined to remain closed. The Hardwick Smith Lounge is more than just another local facility - it is a part of our history, heritage, and our community life.

The Belmont Residents Association proposes to reclaim the lounge to return it to community control, and then restore it for public use. However, we need your support to convince the Council that there is community backing for this proposal. Your support is critical. Please donate a little now.

Our initial target at least $5,000, which with the funds already available to BRIA, will be sufficient to allow us to fund the process to reclaim the lounge from the Hutt City Council. The funds from our Givealittle campaign will be used to fund the expected costs of the transfer of the Lounge back onto community control and management. The bulk of the costs are for legal expertise to create an appropriate charitable trust to take ownership of the building, but also include some administration and promotional expenses to achieve this objective.

Together, let's reclaim the Hardwick Smith Lounge from the Hutt City Council for our community.

Use of funds

Campaigning for community support for the proposal ,and if there is sufficient support, negotiating with the Council and establishing a community controlled charitable trust along with the legal costs associated with transfer of ownership of the building.