Our House of Representatives petition has more hosts! You can now sign it at: Takaka: Take Note, Hammer Hardware, Golden Bay Pharmacy, De-Lish Delicatessen, Brief Affair, Wholemeal Café. Collingwood: NV Miller's garage, Collingwood Post Office, On the Spot. Because of the pre-1900 date of construction we can confirm that Heritage NZ now require a detailed archaeological assessment of the building before anything else is done to it. This is something that Tasman District Council (TDC) are undertaking. We understand that this requires a specialist building assessor. It will be nice to have its heritage value officially established, although we also point out that this is only one part of its value to the community. At the end of the day people need a place to sit and watch the sports games or the show days or any of the other activities that take place at the showgrounds. This is one of the main reasons we are working to keep the grandstand. We have a place ready-made where we can sit and watch. Not only that, it is raised, it has tiered seating, it is covered and it is right where it is needed! On that very important point, we are working at getting at least the southern set of stairs put back as soon as possible so that spectators can use the grandstand for the rest of the current rugby season, as promised, while we continue our efforts to persuade TDC to keep the grandstand. TDC will be discussing the situation at the next Full Council meeting on Thursday 9 June 2016 at the Tasman Council Chambers, 189 Queen Street, Richmond. There is an Environment and Planning Committee meeting at 9.30am then the Full Council meeting begins after that, estimated at 11am. Public can attend. Once we know the outcome of this meeting we will know what our next action will be. Hopefully it will be working with TDC on practical ways of integrating the Grandstand with the new recreation facility. We will let you know the outcome of the Council meeting on Thursday 9th June. Many thanks again for your support. Two Little Old Ladies PS There was an article last week in the Nelson Mail all about it if you would like to check it out: http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/80538852/new-date-for-construction-of-historic-grandstand-unearthed. PPS We have put a great old photograph of the Grandstand on the petition site - we know it was taken after 1911 as it already has its roof.