Courthouse given lifeline

The future looks bright for the Old Courthouse in Carterton.

Carterton District Council has earmarked $75,500 in its long term plan to revamp the Holloway St building and that work had already begun, according to Colin Wright, Carterton District Council chief executive officer.

A suspect beam had been discovered in the ceiling and supporting props have been placed underneath the property.

Mr Wright said St John handed over the building to council on July 1 and councillors are yet to decide what to do with the property.

However, he said there were a few ideas floating around.

The space could be used for council meetings, Mr Wright said, or could be transformed into an equipment storage space or even a cafe.

Mr Wright said the building was of significant heritage value to the Carterton community and the original St John building had been sitting on council-owned land since the 1950s.

"The old courthouse is a similar vintage to the library and the railway station. They were all built at the same time."

During the ten years of the plan, loans will be sought for the ongoing development of the old courthouse, Mr Wright said, as part of a wider rejuvenation of Holloway St.

St John donated the building to council to free the group from maintenance responsibilities and allow more time for their core activities.

The neighbouring Carterton Events Centre will host St John activities and meetings.