Auckland Deaf Society Inc

Brief updates on building redevelopment progress through the months and years resulting in new, vibrant world-class building that has a new Deaf clubrooms with a bar, café, ADS office plus retail lease offices!

October 2006

• This is the BIGGEST news you’ve been waiting for! The Property Redevelopment Committee (PRC) is pleased to announce Aspec Construction as the building contractor for the project, due to start construction in October.
• We are now preparing for construction to begin. This month, ADS got resource consent (No. 1 and 2) after 12 months from Auckland City Council (ACC) and Land Information NZ (LINZ). It took many months of patience since the long process started in August 2005.
• Thanks go to the Deaf club members for a vote on the black stone cladding (for the front exterior/lobby walls); and the Deaf working bees for moving ADS stuff to the temporary ADS office, (in old Deaf Hostel next door) storage & rubbish pile. Indoor Sports Arena will continue to operate in the gym.
• The next stage is to demolish the old Deaf clubrooms and admin area in October to make way for the new building. It should be ready by late 2007 after 10 months construction and fitted-out, allowing for delays e.g. bad weather.

May 2006:

• We are sorry to report there is still slow progress on Resource Consent No. 2 from Auckland City Council, which was submitted in August 2005. When Resource Consent No. 2 is received, we will submit Building Consent (No. 3.) to the Council.
• The Council had an issue regarding the impact on 3 palm trees (front of building), now resolved. One palm tree will be moved to one side and the new building will be slightly moved back.
• Auckland Regional Council recently approved the stormwater drainage issue.
• There may be a delay of 2-3 months to start construction, depending on when the final Resource Consent is received
• Tenders for construction firms will be called in March. It is now expected that construction may start in April and finish in January 2007, allowing for delays due to resource consents, labour, materials or bad weather etc.

April 2006:

• Resource Consent No 2: this is for the planning of the new building exterior, car parking, landscaping. New plans have been completed and provided to Auckland City Council in January. Approval should be received in 2-3 months time.
• Resource Consent No 3: this is for detailed planning and design for all areas of construction: interior, exterior, parking and landscaping. When Resource Consent No. 2 is received, the application for number 3 will be submitted to Council.
  

September 2005:

• Recently there was slow progress with 1st Resource Consent (for land subdivision) at Auckland City Council (ACC) due to a very busy workload and lack of experienced staff last month.
• PRC committee have consulted the ADS members, board and consultants for community feedback on a clear design criteria after a 4 month feasibility study.
• The 2nd Resource Consent (for draft building plan) has been submitted to ACC on 24 August. It is anticipated to take at least 3-4 months.
• The next step is the Building Consent (for final building plan) which will be submitted to ACC on 12 December. It is anticipated to take at least 1-2 months. It is hoped that construction may start after the Building Consent is granted by ACC.

July 2005:

• We are proud to announce that the new building will be launched in late 2006. The old house at 162 and front offices at 164 Balmoral Road will be pulled down in early 2006. The clubrooms will be temporarily closed next year, with a temporary venue arranged for Deaf people to get together on Friday nights.
• Final sketch for the new Deaf Club building selected by the Board. The drawings are beautiful and will be certain to impress!
  
• An open meeting will be arranged soon for members, to focus on the clubrooms interior and get feedback for the new ADS building.
• Our new Club (upstairs) will have 2 meeting rooms, a games room, big clubrooms with an excellent bar and two balconies. There will be four new retail spaces/offices downstairs for lease, along with an ADS office.