A working steam train, double decker bus, a horse drawn coach and crowds of people used to be a daily occurrence at the Historic Village.
A video depicting this vibrant living museum was shown to city councillors as part of an argument against the TECT hub proposal.
The video below shows the village as a 'vibrant living museum” back in the 80s. Image: Youtube.
Hylton Rhodes and Shaun Belcher spoke in support of the village during the public forum section of the council meeting yesterday.
The pair say the construction of the $10 million two story community hub project will 'forever remove any chance of the village becoming any kind of events centre”.
The land being eyed by TECT is open ground used in the past for vintage car displays live concerts.
TECT's $10 million plan for the village.
Tauranga City Council is considering selling 4,790m2 of village land to the Tauranga Energy Consumer Trust on which it will build a community hub.
The historic village was once thriving and profitable, says Shaun.
It was built and run on largely volunteer labour and time. In its heyday it didn't have to rely on council for everything.
Now it's revealed the village has accrued a $1 million debt over the last five years, says Hylton. This is considered a depreciation debt. Read more here.
25 comments
Outside the square...
Posted on 17-02-2016 11:00 | By Speedie
How about a project that relocates some / all of the Historic Village to the Tauranga waterfront / Dive Cres - incorporate trains, working businesses, cafes etc around the harbour a la Fisherman's Wharf....using proceeds from current land sale to fund it.
@Speedie
Posted on 17-02-2016 12:29 | By Scottie
Like your thinking... but once the village has been moved to the waterfront it would leave a good size vacant lot. Build the new TCC municipal buildings on the site with parking? there is no need for it to remain in the CBD, a combonation of selling/long term leasing the current land lot on Willow street and the sale to TECT might finance both?
Speedie
Posted on 17-02-2016 12:31 | By spikeredmires
I'm with you speedie, Good idea.
Rastus
Posted on 17-02-2016 12:32 | By rastus
Past councilors should be ashamed that they let this tourist jewel decay to what it is today compared with what it was like a few years back. Overseas visitors just loved it and it could be that way again but needs some enthusiasm from council and even local politicians such as Simon Bridges who has been rabbiting on about a museum - well we had one of the best in the country - lets get back there again - please
Times have changed
Posted on 17-02-2016 12:43 | By BullShtAlert
Many of those who supported Village have now gone and sadly newer generations have not the same interest in these things. The best chance of the Village keeping going is having people in the area and the TECT proposal at least offers that. Council could reject the TECT offer but I feel the village would just continue its inevitable slide into ratepayer subsidy, decline and eventual disappearance just like other villages around the country.
Tourists in tga
Posted on 17-02-2016 12:55 | By Robin
Some of the councillors need to go to Sovereign Hill in Ballarat to see how a live historic village is run. It is a wonderful place. If there was something like that in Tauranga I'm sure a lot from the cruise boats would love to go instead of most going to Rotorua. The expressway could have an off ramp which would benefit both tourists and the hospital.
Actually we let it decline
Posted on 17-02-2016 13:17 | By Annalist
Forget blaming the council all the time, it's us citizens who don't get off our behinds and away from our computers that have seen the village decline. If TECT isn't allowed to build a community hub there and they take it elsewhere the village will go backwards even more. Personally I think TECT should walk from the project, go elsewhere and leave all the whiners and naysayers to sort out the mess, no doubt with rates money. I wonder is Messrs Rhodes and Belcher have ever organised an event at the village. Given how successful they seem to think it could be I'm surprised they don't put some money into it?
Can some tell me
Posted on 17-02-2016 13:47 | By Bop man
What happened to the train, Wouldn't it be cool to have something like this doing a couple of trips a day to Hamilton or elsewhere.
Run it properly
Posted on 17-02-2016 15:51 | By The Sage
Get someone in with some vision and enthusiasm to turn the place around. They must have known it was accruing debt however this appears to be on book value not actual loss of funds.This could be restored to the vibrant place it once was and the buses could be bringing the people over from the cruise ships. This would bring in huge revenue. The Council needs to stop funding some of the tyre kickers like Priority One. A huge change of mindset is required. The idea of putting it on the waterfront is ridiculous. Very soon the city will house only restaurants and offices. Have you seen the amount of vacant retail space? Plus poor parking. Last one out please turn out the lights.
Historic Village fail
Posted on 17-02-2016 16:37 | By bogside
Speedie and Robin are on to it. If you want the village to work it must be working - simple really. Surely one of our councillors would like a trip to Ballarat to see Sovereign Hill.
I understand that
Posted on 17-02-2016 16:56 | By earlybird
the train is currently located at Ngongotaha. The other assets are on loan to other operators. I think the Steam traction Engine is in Fielding. One can only hope that we get these assets back one day so we can enjoy them once again.
800 NAYSAYERS
Posted on 17-02-2016 16:56 | By Colleen Spiro
@Annalist you are a very negative person....Shaun and Hylton are speaking on behalf of over 800 people who have FB....Many others who don't...The village could be a successful living village, alongside a museum, like it used to be...Do you remember, or are you just spouting off as usual. The multicultural festival is there Sat. The Lions Market on Sunday, several fabulous Art facilities, great retailers, turning point and more are situated at the village now. The Jazz Fest and other events also....May not be so if TECT doubles up on the Community Groups already there. The village is self sufficent. Personal attacks are not necessary....there has been a lot of work past and present to keep the village a stunning place to be.(with no Council funding).....get your facts right. https://www.facebook.com/tgahistoricvillage/?fref=ts
Looking forward to Rhodes & Belcher events
Posted on 17-02-2016 17:02 | By Annalist
The more I think about it the more I think events could be held at the Village, but it is up to someone to organise them and not ratepayer funded Council. Hylton and Shaun with their passion for the village would be the ideal people. Meantime TECT can build elsewhere and take all the Village tenants into modern and not damp premises. I'm sure good use will be made of the Village vacant land with say two events a year and look forward to those who put their actions where there mouths are organising them.
Great
Posted on 17-02-2016 18:23 | By fletch
Speedie what a great idea and yes put the Council offices down there
Sorry Colleen, it's not me whose negative
Posted on 17-02-2016 19:11 | By Annalist
But when I see people come up with ideas I can't help but ask if they have faith in them and are going to carry them out, or whether they expect others to do that. The Village did go through a golden era but I doubt in today's environment whether that can be recreated. People have different priorities. All sorts of clubs and organisations that have been big in the past have had to adjust to new generations coming along with different tastes and interests. Also how can you say I'm negative? I initially supported the TECT idea but there were so many negative complainers including the latest ones that I now think TECT should give up and move elsewhere. I certainly don't attack Shaun and Hylton and positively look forward to the events they organise. I'll be there.
Bring back the village
Posted on 17-02-2016 19:52 | By missusmck
I was married in the little church in 1986 and although I don't live in Tauranga anymore it is a real shame to see this lovely place go to waste. They should do something to get it back to how it used to be. I loved going down there.
Someone should do something
Posted on 18-02-2016 10:38 | By BullShtAlert
Someone should do something, not me of course. But they really should. Things ain't what they used to be and that's terrible. Naturally I don't want to pay anything myself but everyone else should be made to pay through taxes or rates for the things I want. But things I don't want should be funded by user pays and not my taxes or rates. Someone should bring back the village coz I knew someone who once a long time ago got married there - they should do something. A summary of the quality of the reasoning and arguments I've read on this subject.
@ Annalist
Posted on 18-02-2016 10:41 | By The Sage
To quote you Annalist perhaps you should get off your backside from behind your computer.
@ Annalist
Posted on 18-02-2016 12:07 | By Colleen Spiro
It is not up to Shaun and Hylton to run EVENTS....they are already been run and no NOT JUST TWO A YEAR....Did you not read, where I said there are already craft shops, gift shops, mineral shops, clothing shops, art workshops, recycled furniture markets etc etc etc. These are all self sufficient businesses who pay rent. There are other groups who rent the rooms for meetings, workshops etc. It was Shaun, Hyltons and others dream to see the Village returned to its former glory and WHY NOT? Your suggestion that the community groups move into the TECT building somewhere else is excellent, it would then open up MORE OPPORTUNITIES for the village to return to a working village, and be aware, that alot of young people are behind this to restore the village
Its not working
Posted on 19-02-2016 13:27 | By Ron
The vollage is not working. A new building which brings the employees of community groups to the village will mean more coffee meetings, more people wanting to make purchases from the shops which are basically empty most of the week, safer power supplies for performers who otherwise have to drag cables across saturated land, a staging area for performances.Its all upside to have the TECT building there.
@Ron
Posted on 22-02-2016 11:55 | By Colleen Spiro
Is it a coincidence that the Council says there is a 1 million debt on the village and that TECT will pay them that amount for the land? AND You obviously have not been to the village lately.....the shops are vibrant, and full to busting ...
@BullShtAlert
Posted on 23-02-2016 13:21 | By morepork
You are right on the button. Personally, I enjoy the Village on occasion (like the Jazz Festival and Shakespeare on the grass), but I wouldn't really miss it if it went. So, I make no excuse for not getting involved. I suspect I am not the only one who feels this way, but you are absolutely right that many who claim it is important, are not prepared to do anything about it. If it is really a vibrant, thriving place, why is there discussion over the future of it?
@ missusmck
Posted on 26-02-2016 17:20 | By Crash test dummies
All the luv lee warm fuzzies wont bring it back, obviously over the years not enough money was coming in, not enough visitors so sliding down the greasy pole to oblivion is the only result left.
user pays
Posted on 26-02-2016 17:22 | By Crash test dummies
it does nto pay its way so game over, get real folks. The worst thing that could of happened to the place is that TCC is back in there and trying to play leader again. That is like a death hit that no one can recover from, best option, shut it down, sell off the land and reduce debt.
@ morepork
Posted on 26-02-2016 17:23 | By Crash test dummies
read it again, that is not what is said at all, in fact the opposite.
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