16 | Central Otago District Council: Cromwell Memorial Hall T T Aimee Wilson Cromwell’s new centre honours history The new centre replaces its 60-year-old predecessor overlooking Lake Dunstan, a memorial commemorating the fallen from the last century’s two World Wars has been retained and will be relocated to the new building’s memorial garden. “The design of the new Cromwell Memorial Hall and Events Centre is uniquely Cromwell, retaining and strengthening the pre-existing memorial garden, incorporating the natural landscape, while also acknowledging our unique Kāi Tahu history.” REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT One of the Central Otago District Council’s most ambitious projects to date is the $45.8 million Cromwell Memorial Hall and Events Centre. The new facility, due to be officially opened in July 2026, has been designed by Jasmax and SA Studio alongside mana whenua organisation Aukaha, and consultant partners WSP, Entertech, Marshall Day, TSA Riley and Rhodes + Associates. Built by Naylor Love, and replacing its 60-year-old predecessor overlooking Lake Dunstan, a memorial commemorating the fallen from the last century’s two World Wars has been retained and will be relocated to the new building’s memorial garden. Providing a new and improved destination for events, creative expression and remembrance in Central Otago, the centre is designed to complement the breathtaking natural landscape so unique to Cromwell and Central Otago, while reflecting and celebrating the area’s rich and diverse history. Council’s general manager – customer experience David Scoones says Central Otago people have always been ambitious, and the new building is a timeless community asset that will serve as a foundation for future growth. “The design of the new Cromwell Memorial Hall and Events Centre is uniquely Cromwell, retaining and strengthening the pre-existing memorial garden, incorporating the natural landscape, while also acknowledging our unique Kāi Tahu history,” he says. “All these aspects have been woven into a futuristic facility ready to serve Cromwell today and tomorrow.” The district has experienced 18% population growth in just five years, and the new facility has been described as futuristic, featuring Proud to be collaborating with Lead Architects Jasmax on this exciting Community project for Cromwell and the Central Otago District 021 108 2764 jessie@sastudio.co.nz www.sastudio.co.nz NZRAB Registered Architect • NZIA Member 19 different build methods throughout a 3000sqm footprint that incorporates state-ofthe-art acoustics, environmental controls and lighting. Central Otago District Council project manager Phil Quin says the roof pitch was inspired by the landscape, and the blockwork comprises manufactured stone mixed with local gold-mining tailings. Even the structured steel was manufactured locally, along with external cladding and concrete and floor slabs from the Parkburn quarry – in fact, 65% of the workforce on this massive project has come from throughout Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago. They have also repurposed the old roof and saved the timber floor from the original building, and in keeping with sustainability, 70% of the waste has been directed away from landfill. David says one of the key objectives of the local community board was to create a unique experience and a shared space where everyone was welcome. The centre will feature a 400-seat auditorium space alongside a new museum that connects to the Cromwell Heritage Precinct a short distance along the Lake Dunstan Trail. Also included in the development will be a café, 40-seat cinema, community spaces and an event space overlooking the lakeside. All in all, it’s a high-spec build bound to make heads turn as you travel along the state highway through the gorge. Cromwell has become more than just a gateway to the Southern Lakes, it’s a boom town that is setting its sights high on the future and generations to come. The new Memorial Hall will provide the latest destination for events in Central Otago, giving people another reason to stop in Cromwell and discover more about this interesting heritage gold-mining town.
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