Kāitaia Prepares for New Salvation Army Centre
Work is underway on a new Salvation Army centre in Kaitaia that will see existing community services and programmes brought under one roof.
A blessing and sod-turning ceremony was held in December, with construction of the single-story building kicking off early this year.
The purpose-built facility will accommodate the Far North (Kaitaia) Corps, Community Ministries, Family Store, and Bridge programme, along with the provision of car parking.
Local services and programmes are currently located in two different locations in Kaitaia.
The project will be carried out in two stages. Stage one will involve a building to house the church, Community Ministries—including a foodbank—and the Family Store. The second stage will be an adjacent building for the Bridge programme that will be linked to the other building via a walkway.
Lt. Cass Henderson, corps officer of the Far North (Kaitaia) Corps, says the new centre will be a big step forward both for staff and volunteers, and the wider community.
‘We’re all pretty excited with the prospect of having a new building with purpose-built spaces,’ says Cass.
‘The new centre will allow staff and volunteers to carry out their work more efficiently and result in a better and more accessible level of service to the public.
‘Most people don’t separate the different parts of The Salvation Army, so it will also be helpful for the community when all our operations are together under one roof.’
Cass has been based in Kaitaia since August last year, having previously been Mission Director with the Auckland Bridge programme.
‘I really enjoy my work with the Kaitaia and Far North community,’ says Cass. ‘Every day is different—you never know what each day will bring.’
Construction of both stages of the new centre is expected to be complete by Christmas 2023.
Words: Hope Burmeister
