Leys Institute to be restored and protected with additional $9.5 million council boost

The Leys Institute, a much-loved heritage building in Ponsonby, will be restored and modernised for residents and future generations to enjoy, with a total investment of $21 million, of which $9.56 million was today allocated for seismic strengthening through the Regional Seismic Fund.

On 25 July, the council's Planning, Environment and Parks Committee allocated $9.2 million for the project through to financial year 2026/2027. Current spend against the project is $363,037, making the total project allocation $9,563,037.

"The Leys Institute is a unique and historically significant taonga in Tāmaki Makaurau," Councillor Richard Hills, chair of the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee says.

"I have heard loud and clear how important this asset is to the local community and the Auckland region."It's vitally important this building is upgraded and modernised, while protecting its heritage values. The project has multiple benefits including seismic strengthening to ensure it can be used by future generations of Aucklanders.

"Seismic strengthening of notable buildings like the Leys Institute is required by law and will give them the best chance of being preserved in the event of an earthquake."

"I would like to thank the Waitematā Local Board, Friends of Leys and the local community for backing this important project."

The site at 20 St Marys Road is a group of heritage buildings built in 1905. The buildings are earthquake-prone and were closed in December 2019 due to safety risks. The planned improvements will make them easier to use and structurally safer in the event of an earthquake. These were the first major public buildings in Ponsonby and due to their historic significance, they are important taonga to preserve. The seismic strengthening-work will be combined with restoration and modernisation of the entire facility to make it fit-for purpose and improve the way services are delivered.

Waitematā local board chair Genevieve Sage says she's pleased this community asset will undergo restoration and seismic strengthening.

"The Leys Institute sits at the heart of the Ponsonby community and is much loved by local residents.

"Before it closed, the building housed a library and a gymnasium which was well used by locals and a focal point of the community.

"The local board have advocated tirelessly for the Leys Institute to be renewed and we welcome the council's decision to allocate funds.

"We are excited to see this project move forward and acknowledge it's important to locals."

The Waitematā Local board also aims to contribute approximately $11 million funding to the project's total cost through the sales of underperforming assets.

Friends of Leys Institute coordinator Helen Geary says she's thrilled with the council's decision to invest in the heritage building.

"After advocating for close to five years for the Leys Institute seismic upgrade and restoration, the hundreds of members of Friends of Leys Institute and the local community will be relieved the project will progress.

"Our precious library and listed heritage building has been an integral part of the Ponsonby community for 120 years and we will be delighted to have it back."

While a review of current legislation is planned, the council is still obliged to undertake seismic strengthening work required by the Building Act 2024.

Why is seismic strengthening needed and how is it carried out?

• Seismic remediation is required by law to make buildings safe to occupy.
• There is a national system for managing earthquake-prone buildings. Councils determine which buildings are earthquake-prone and work must be carried out to remediate them.
• Auckland Council programmes seismic strengthening work for historic buildings as part of renewal in which the buildings' heritage components are respected.
• Auckland Council focuses on strengthening buildings with low seismic ratings and gives priority to heritage buildings falling into the very-high seismic risk category (<20%NBS).
• A building owner must carry out the required seismic strengthening work at the same time as other alterations, where a substantial alteration requires a building consent on an earthquake-prone building or part thereof, with the value exceeding $150,000and 25% of the building's improvement value.

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