Clockblox

Levin & Districts Brass Inc

Our Band Room

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Outside front and rear, and interior, September 1996

Levin & Districts Brass has had its home on the current site in Weraroa Road since 1963.   The first band room building there was originally part of the then Levin Borough Council's Works Depot in Chamberlain Street, before being relocated to the site now occupied by the Public Library, in Bath Street.  On being donated to the Band, the building was transported to the current site, and refurbished, at the band's expense. 

In 1994, the band sought to replace the band room because of the bad state of repair of the building and the subsequent risk to the valuable music library, instruments, uniforms and various other chattels stored therein.  There began the long process of exploring all the options, seeking consents, and raising the necessary funds.

In October 1995 the Horowhenua District Council agreed that the band could reconstruct the bandroom on the same site, subject to Resource Consent.  12 months later the contract was signed between the band and the building contractors, and demolition began immediately:

In addition to the band's own financial resources, funding had been obtained from the Horowhenua District Council, the  NZ Lottery Grants Board, and the Eastern & Central Community Trust.

The new bandroom was erected on the original floor, which had been retained.  Construction of an extension to the existing floor area on the south side added rooms for the music library, and instruments and uniforms storage. 

The building was closed in by Christmas, and the band moved back into the building for rehearsals in March 1997.  In between extra rehearsals for National Contest (17 - 20 April), working bees were held to carry out finishing and painting.  Lino and carpet were then laid, shelving installed, and property retrieved from storage.

Life member and past conductor, Mr Tom Taylor, declared the band room officially open on 31 May 1997.
 
Tom Taylor unveils the plaque commemorating the opening of the bandroom

Patron, Mr Evan Tombs, speaks at the opening.
Seated, l - r, are Mayor Tom Robinson, MP Judy Keall,
Vice President Ray Harvey, and WDBBA Executive representative, Trevor Cudby.