Here in Wellington, a shocking row is brewing over the Karori Event Centre, and it’s got the community and council at loggerheads. The Karori Community Hall Trust—folks like Lee Wilson and Kelvin Giles—poured their hearts into building this place on Wellington City Council (WCC) land. But now, they’ve run out of cash, and WCC, led by figures like Mayor Tory Whanau and Councillor Rebecca Matthews, is mulling over a bombshell move—demolition. It’s a gut punch for Karori locals, and it’s not the first time WCC’s swung the wrecking ball, with the City to Sea Bridge, Begonia House, and Civic buildings in their sights too. So, let’s dive into this mess and see what’s driving it.

The story starts years back, around 2007, when the trust kicked off their dream. Lee Wilson, the current chair, and Kelvin Giles, a former chair, were among the stalwarts who saw a gap—Karori needed a proper community hub. They leased WCC land in the heart of the suburb, next to the Karori Community Centre, and got cracking. By 2017, they’d raised $2.8 million—$800,000 from locals, $600,000 from philanthropists, $500,000 from Lotteries, and $610,000 from WCC via a land sale advance, plus a $310,000 council grant. Then, in 2018, they finished the base build—a weather-tight shell—because grant deadlines loomed. But that’s where the money dried up.

For the trust, it’s been a slog. Julie Crengle, deputy chair back in 2017, once said, “Sometimes it seemed like we would never get there,” and now it’s worse. They needed $1.9 million more to fit out the interior—think floors, lights, the lot. So, they turned to WCC in 2019, asking for help. After months of talks, WCC agreed in 2020 to stump up $1.22 million, and the trust gifted the building to the council in December 2022, expecting it to open in 2023 with Footnote New Zealand Dance as a tenant. Lee Wilson was chuffed, saying, “The hard work by trustees and community support will bring vitality to the western suburbs.” But then, the cash crunch hit WCC too.

Now, fast forward to 2025, and WCC’s in a pickle. Mayor Tory Whanau’s facing a budget crisis—rates hikes, debt, and cuts are on the table for the 2024-34 Long Term Plan. Councillor Rebecca Matthews, who oversees community facilities, backed the 2020 funding, saying, “We couldn’t leave it incomplete and unusable.” But today, with costs soaring and no spare cash, WCC’s rethinking that promise. They’re floating demolition instead, arguing it’s cheaper than finishing a half-done job. For the trust, it’s a betrayal—Kelvin Giles and his crew raised millions on the understanding WCC would see it through, and now they’re staring at a bulldozer.

Meanwhile, this isn’t WCC’s first demolition dance. Just look at the City to Sea Bridge—council wants it gone, citing repair costs, despite public outcry in 2024. Then, there’s Begonia House in the Botanic Garden—WCC’s eyeing a teardown there too, claiming maintenance is too pricey. And don’t forget the Civic precinct—after the 2016 quake, they demolished the Municipal Office Building and parts of the Civic Administration Building, even though some argued they could’ve been saved. Critics, including heritage buffs like Ben Schrader, say WCC’s too quick to knock things down, and Karori’s trust folks feel the same sting.

So, what’s got the trust reeling? For one, they’re gutted—15 years of blood, sweat, and community cash, and now this. Lee Wilson’s been vocal, pushing a petition on Change.org to “Fund, Finish & Open” the centre, arguing it’s vital for Karori’s growing population—reports from 2006 and 2016 flagged the need, and seven other local halls have vanished since. But WCC’s side is grim too. Tory Whanau’s juggling a financial mess, and insiders say demolition’s on the table because the $1.9 million fit-out cost (adjusted from 2020’s $1.22 million) is a stretch they can’t afford. Councillor Andy Foster, who’s long backed Karori projects, once called the centre a “fantastic opportunity,” but now he’s quieter—budget talks are tense.

Then, there’s the community angle. Karori locals—like those who chipped in funds—see it as a lifeline for events, dance, and emergency hubs. But if WCC pulls the plug, that’s dust. The trust’s desperate—Wilson’s crew reckon it’s a multi-purpose gem that’d boost resilience, yet WCC’s crunching numbers, not dreams. And it’s not just Karori—Wellington’s pattern of ditching assets like the Civic buildings, despite pushback, has folks wondering: what’s worth saving?

So, where’s this heading? WCC’s Long Term Plan consultation’s ongoing—submissions close mid-2025—and demolition’s not locked in yet. The trust’s fighting tooth and nail, but if the council votes to scrap it, the centre’s toast. For now, Lee Wilson and the Karori team are rallying support, while Whanau and Matthews weigh cash versus community. It’s a shocking standoff—years of trust work on WCC land, now teetering on the edge.