Supporting communities  |  5 Jun 2019

An Opawa community centre is celebrating returning to its heritage home after an extensive restoration.

A reopening ceremony for the 155-year-old Risingholme Homestead has been held at the Cholmondeley Avenue site this morning.

The opening ceremony for Risingholme Homestead.

Students from Opawa School performed at the reopening ceremony for Risingholme Homestead.

The building was badly damaged in an arson attack in June 2016, just as the Christchurch City Council was preparing to fix the damage the building had suffered in the earthquakes.

The fire ripped through the roof and top storey of the heritage-listed building and caused so much damage that part of the upstairs had to be deconstructed.

However, a Council-led repair and restoration project, which began in February 2018, has returned the historic homestead to its former glory  and brought the building up to 67 per cent of New Building Standard.

Mayor Lianne Dalziel says Risingholme Community Centre has played an important role in in the local community for decades.

“This is a building that has seen a lot of history, and the careful restoration work that’s been carried out here means it will continue to stand strong and be a vital part of its community well into the future,” the Mayor says.

Social, Community Development and Housing Committee Chairperson Phil Clearwater, who has had a long association with Risingholme and was married in the building, says the respectful restoration means that wherever possible, the original character features of the homestead have been retained.

“For example, the beautiful marble fireplaces have been rebuilt using salvaged pieces, the charring on the staircase and fireplace bannisters and fireplace mantle have been kept and a 'truth window' provides a viewing panel that reveals the original lathe and plaster inside the walls.”

A bracing system has been incorporated into the walls and the roof and full brick chimneys have been rebuilt.

“I’m looking forward to seeing it become a big part of the community again,” Mr Clearwater says. “This restoration will give it a whole new lease of life. It’s a building that has a very special connection for a lot of people and there’s a big social component to the education classes which is important.”

The nearby Risingholme Hall, which dates back to the 1940s, has also been refurbished and strengthened.

Ildica Boyd, Risingholme Community Centre Committee President, says the Council’s commitment to what Risingholme represents has been “heart-warming”.

Strategic plans have been made to ensure the centre will continue its work of the last 75 years and remain relevant into the future by providing educational courses, facilities for social occasions, and the landscaped park and play equipment.

“It is wonderful to be able to say ‘Risingholme’ is moving back home, with all the buildings open and improved,” she says.

The Risingholme Community Centre Committee is holding a community open day at Risingholme Homestead and Hall this Saturday from 10am until 2pm.

Risingholme's history

The Risingholme Community Centre was originally built in 1864 as a private residence by William and Mary Reeves, the parents of noted politician William Pember Reeves.

After the death of William Pember Reeves in 1891 the house had several private owners until 1943 when it was bought by philanthropist Sir John McKenzie, who gifted it to the Christchurch City Council for the “health, amusement and instruction of the public’’.

Risingholme Community Centre was formed in 1944 and became one of the first community centres in the country. It is a not-for-profit organisation that continues to offer a range of community education and leisure programmes including woodwork, cooking, languages and music classes.