Blundell said the church planned to run a cafe in the new space to feed people in the evenings.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe goal is to feed upwards of 500 people a night, similar to the Bowling Club in Dunedin.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are a small congregation of 76 people, and do not have the capital resources to do our social enterprise cafe without downsizing and relocating. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are re-orienting how our capital is used for greater positive social impact.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Torbay site is 2565sq m and is located down the street from the town centre. The site has Mixed Housing Suburban zoning, which means there are a variety of residential development options, including terrace-style housing or detached dwellings.<\/p>\n
Real estate agent Thomas Snedden told the Herald the site has garnered positive interest so far.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has been a mix between occupiers and developers.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Torbay site includes a community hall and an arts space. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n
He said occupying meant a similar organisation could repurpose the buildings.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt could be attractive to developers for residential purposes.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a post on its Facebook page, the Torbay Business Association said it had \u201cmixed feelings\u201d about the announcement.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow wonderful it would be if the site could be expanded into a community hub for a broader range of Top of the Bays community groups and services.\u201d<\/p>\n
The organisation told the Herald the church had a few current community services that used the site. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe Torbay Community Garden, RAFT Studio, the Torbay Community Pantry are situated in the front near the footpath. <\/p>\n
\u201cAlcoholics Anonymous appear to meet there. We are unsure what the sale will mean for them.\u201d <\/p>\n
Residents also feared the sale would impact the St Mary\u2019s Pioneer Cemetery next to the church.<\/p>\n
However, both Blundell and Snedden said the cemetery was situated on a separate title and did not form part of the sale.<\/p>\n
Blundell told the Herald the land was subdivided into the cemetery and church parts many years ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe cemetery sits on a separate title, and is designated \u2018public open space\u2019 and sits in trust,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe cemetery will continue in trust with our General Trust Board as the owners\/kaitiaki. St Mary by the Sea will continue to manage the Torbay Cemetery.\u201d<\/p>\n