Merivale community's aspirations for a revamped community centre are quickly taking shape with new draft plans submitted to Tauranga City Council for discussion.

The announcement comes nearly a year after the Hosanna Church on the corner of Fraser Street was demolished to make room for a proposed multi-use facility.

Merivale Community Centre and the vacant land next door could be redeveloped in the board's concept design submitted to Tauranga City Council.

The building, built in 1940 and purchased by TCC for $330,500 from the Hosanna Fellowship Trust last February, was demolished in April in the attempt to add valuable space to both the centre and the community.

Speaking to SunLive, Merivale Community Centre chairperson Michael Thomson confirms the board has drafted a thorough concept design putting forward their intentions for the site.

Council owns both the former church site and the neighbouring land at No.10 Kesteven Avenue where the community centre is located.

The two sections are separated by a public right of way – a continuation of the access behind the Merivale shops.

'Yes there is some work being done, we have a draft concept plan and we have made a submission to council around the use of the site and that stuff is being worked through now,” says Michael.

Merivale Community Centre manager John Fletcher says a Merivale architect has been working on a variety of designs for the redevelopment along with input from organisations currently using the building.

John says the main purpose is to build a 'service hub” across the two sites – offering a bigger facility and a wider range of facilities for Tauranga South.

The expanded facility would benefit the Tauranga South area, not just the suburb, he says. Groups from Gate Pa and Greerton are already using the community centre's facilities.

It is understood the designs could include a purpose built community centre, with devoted youth space and community rooms.

'It's exciting in terms of this centre we are constrained in what we can offer here. The idea of having a facility that not only we can use, and the sorts of things we can do bigger and better, but for other agencies to come in and have rooms and halls that can be hired out it just brings more into Merivale,” says John.

'And anything that gives more choice and more opportunities particularly for our young people is a fantastic thing.”

An agreement between council and the Merivale Community Centre will see the redevelopment funded without ratepayer contribution, leaving the community to fundraise the total cost.

'We are not sure how that's going to look yet and we are talking to various people. Doug [Bay of Plenty Regional councillor Doug Owens] is leading that fundraising and he is confident that we will find the money in a fairly short time and begin work by the end of the year,” says John.

Tauranga City Council strategic planner Cheryl Steiner says with the submission now before council, the Merivale Community Centre will present their report and vision to the elected member this year – at a date yet to be decided.

'Basically what they need to do is present their project to council because it's regarding using council land and a council building which is their existing facility,” says Cheryl.