Prime site purchased by council

A PRIME location in Sanson, currently occupied by the Junction Hotel, has been purchased by the Manawatu District Council.

The council will take over the property at the intersection of State Highways 1 and 3 at the end of October.

Chief Executive, Rod Titcombe, said council had not purchased the ongoing business of the hotel and restaurant and these enterprises would cease operations on or before the takeover date.

“Council has long recognised the strategic importance of Sanson, given its location at the junction of two major state highway links and being adjacent to New Zealand’s primary air force base at Ohakea,” said Mr Titcombe.

“Sanson is an important link to the rest of the Manawatu, Palmerston North and the southern North Island – a ‘gateway’ community.”

Mr Titcombe said council was mindful of the need for satisfactory public facilities in the area to service the travelling public and had recently set aside funding for the upgrading of public toilets.

He said the purchase followed a long period of negotiation and, over the coming months, council would assess the best use of this and other council sites with a view to rationalising community facilities in the township.