Archery clubhouse crushed by tree2 min read

Reading Time: 2 minutes

High winds caused havoc within Cornwall Park and Maungakiekie/One Tree Domain recently, when a large macrocarpa tree wrecked the clubhouse for Auckland Archery Club, as well as a nearby historic stone wall.

“At the moment, half the clubhouse is no longer there, and it is not really usable by us,” says Auckland Archery Club president, Grant Hewson. “It’s unclear whether the clubhouse will need to be demolished and replaced, or whether it might be repaired. We are still waiting on an engineer’s report, which we will hopefully receive within a couple of weeks.”

No clubhouse facilities are available, so members are making the best of things by congregating outside. Once the engineer’s report is complete, the club will have some idea of repair or replacement costs, which they will have to fund.

“We will no doubt have some significant fundraising drives over the next 18 months to two years,” says Grant.

The tree toppled on the last weekend of August, when there was an orange wind warning for Auckland. Cornwall Park management closed the park, so no one was in or around the building at the time. The tree also damaged a nearby historic stone wall.

Due to the damage done, the club had to postpone events until next year. However, neighbouring clubs have offered the use of their ranges to club members, while the local club repairs and rebuilds.

“Where the wood is recoverable, we will look to repurpose it for projects on the Tūpuna Maunga,” says spokesperson and chairperson, Paul Majurey. “If the condition of the wood is not salvageable, we will recover mulch for the Maunga plantings.” and garden beds, leaving some of the wood on-site to create habitat for wildlife and allowing the whenua to undertake natural processes.”

Follow Auckland Archery Club on Facebook for updates on future events and clubhouse repairs: facebook.com/ OneTreeHillArchery