Commissioners have given their consent to demolish the historic Marines Hall in Tītahi Bay. “We want something to recognise the Marines history but also the fond memories that our community have of the hall – this would be appropriate and a good result.” The hall was built by American soldiers in 1942 and used as a recreational facility. Since the 1970s it was home to the Porirua Little Theatre.
ROBERT KITCHIN/STUFF
Theatre stalwart John Mahan and his late father Basil Mahan outside the hall. John Mahan fought to retain the hall for use by The Porirua Little Theatre. (File photo)
Commissioners Rule Titahi Bay s US Marines Hall Can Be Demolished
scoop.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from scoop.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Wellington scoop co nz » Commissioners approve demolition of historic US Marines Hall in Titahi Bay
scoop.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from scoop.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
News from Historic Places Wellington
Time is running out for the only remaining US Marines Hall, at Titahi Bay in Porirua, dating from WWII. Felicity Wong, Chair of Historic Places Wellington, says that at a resource consent hearing in Porirua in December, Historic Places Wellington opposed a demolition application of this community hall.
“Recent changes in Porirua’s new District Plan may weaken the protection of heritage buildings by introducing cost as a more relevant consideration in heritage protection decisions. The hearings decision is expected in mid-February,” says Felicity.
“While Porirua City did not dispute the high heritage value of the building, its CEO Wendy Walker argued at the hearing that Porirua does not consider it an affordable priority to renovate this wooden building. Porirua, in fact has very few heritage buildings listed for protection under its District Plan.”