Visions of developing a state of the art Merivale Community Centre are one step closer with vital funding for a feasibility study secured.

The Merivale Community Inc. hopes to one day amalgamate the two properties at 417 Fraser Street and 10 Kesteven Avenue and upgrade the current community centre – a project discussed for well over 10 years.

The vacant 417 Fraser Street lot next to the current Merivale Community Centre.

The new Merivale Community Centre project's architect's floor plans. Drawings: Thorn Architects Ltd.

Merivale Community Inc. chairman Michael Thompson says funding secured through Lottery grants is not as much as hoped for forcing the group to make a decision on the size of the study.

'We have got two choices; we find an extra bit of money, or we talk to our proposed consultants to see if we can re-jig what they were going to do so we can do that with the money we have,” says Michael.

'We don't have a specific timeline [of the study starting] but it will be very soon.”

The feasibility study is a requirement imposed by Tauranga City Council after approving to continue plans for the centre in May. At the same time the group were told a higher level of public consultation is needed.

The application arose from a six-month consultation process the centre undertook in 2013.

'In broad terms it's [the study] looking at the nature, the purpose, whether it fits the needs and the viability of the community centre in the form we are talking about.”

Council approves the project in principle, subject to it being satisfied with the feasibility plan and business study.

Michael says the group will seek public consultation again after completing a similar round while the project was in its infancy.

'Merivale Community Incorporated is about to revisit its long term strategy of which the community centre is part of that. We will consult on the strategy and the centre as part of the wider approach.”

The lease for the two-council owned properties will be $1 per year. The existing building will be sold by the council and the council will begin the Local Government Act process to stop the service lane.

The council purchased the land and building at 10 Kesteven Avenue for the community centre in 1995. The current $1/year lease expires on August 31.

The council bought 417 Fraser Street last year to provide additional land for the expansion of what is regarded as a highly successful community centre.

The centre will lead a fundraising project to pay for the development and no extra ratepayer help will be sought. Fundraising is expected to take one year, with a build time of eight months.

Michael says it is pleasing to see the project moving forward slowly for the community, but is not getting ahead of himself.

'I think the [public] feedback is supportive. But without being able to give them details and timelines it's hard for them to be that excited as it's all pretty much conceptual.”