Deconstruction of the old rugby changing rooms in the Rakaia Domain begins on Saturday (26 August) and public toilets in the building will close; other public toilets at the nearby Rakaia Bowling Club will still be available.

The new Rakaia Recreation Centre will be built on the site of the old changing rooms, and new public toilets will be built into the facility.

The Rakaia community, led by the rugby club, has been fundraising for the recreation centre for a decade.

Council’s Group Manager for Infrastructure and Open Spaces Neil McCann said it was great to see the project get under way.

“We are pleased to be a part of it and Council is paying $351,000 for a new prefabricated public toilet block that will be incorporated into the eastern end of the centre, near the carpark.

“While construction is happening on site, there will still be public toilets available in the domain at the bowling club and those conveniences are cleaned and serviced by Council.”

The Rakaia Reserve Board, which manages the Rakaia Domain with Council, will erect signs advising visitors to the domain that public toilets are available at the bowling club.