Question mark over stadium

Masterton's iconic Golden Shears pageant may have to move away from the War Memorial Stadium in Dixon street, after it was identified as being a potential earthquake risk.

The stadium is one of more than 250 buildings in Masterton identified as being "possibly earthquake prone" with its status being 33 per cent or less of current building code.

Although the Golden Shears Committee is yet to learn the extent of the risk apportioned to the stadium, which has been home to the shears since its inception in 1961, a tentative search for alternative premises has already begun.

One option is the stadium at the Clareville complex.

Masterton mayor Garry Daniell said yesterday a full engineer's assessment is pending for the War Memorial Stadium but added that he was "confident" the shears would not have to relocate.

Mr Daniell said when the new recreation centre, which complements the stadium, was built a few years back major work was carried on the stadium also. He said because the stadium was a large public building capable of sitting many people, it was necessary to get a full assessment of its potential risk.

"We are really anxious to give the Golden Shears committee some continuity and I am absolutely confident they will be able to go back there next year," Mr Daniell said.

Golden Shears vice president Phil Morrison said the committee has discussed the stadium situation and was "in limbo" while awaiting the assessment.

Various alternative venues had been considered including the Clareville stadium as it was a matter of "size plus facilities," Mr Morrison said.

The War Memorial Stadium is included in the Priority 2 list of possible earthquake risk buildings which allows for a six month window in which to have a full engineer's assessment completed and provided to council, or for an application for a building consent to have strengthening work done to overcome the risk.

Of the entire list, 40 of the identified buildings in Masterton are Priority 2.

Many more are classified as Priority 1 which means they have been identified by a council desktop assessment as possible earthquake risks but owners have not responded to requests from council to provide an engineer's assessment.

The district council is reviewing its earthquake prone building policy and is seeking to "share and develop" policy alongside other district councils in Wairarapa.