Recommendation for Wanaka sports facility

The Queenstown Lakes District Council will be asked next week to make a milestone decision for the Upper Clutha Community. The recommendation is to confirm the preferred location for a future indoor recreation and aquatic facilities as the Wanaka Recreation Reserve (showgrounds site), QLDC Mayor Clive Geddes said.

“What this means is that this exciting and desperately needed project for the Upper Clutha can start to become a reality. The decision next week is only about the site and now we look forward to being able to progress the building design,” Mr Geddes said.

The process had already spanned more than two years with the Wanaka Sports and Aquatic Centre Working Parties formed in 2008.

“Discussion documents have been released, drop in sessions held. We consulted on this issue as a key project in the 10-Year-plan round last year, it’s time to move this project forward,” Mr Geddes said.

On behalf of the council and the Wanaka Community Board, Mr Geddes wanted to publicly thank the working parties and all those members of the community who had made submissions.
The recommendation included the development of a concept plan addressing the location of not only the indoor stadium but also a future aquatic centre the A and P Show and building, the camp facilities, the rugby club and others.

“Both council and the community board are really looking forward to working with the A and P Show, the Rugby Club and others to make sure that the development can meet the needs of all users,” Mr Geddes said.

An indoor events centre had the potential to service all needs, such as an indoor display area for the show and facilities for the camping grounds.

“The ambition here is to provide a structure that provides value for the whole community, it is a real shot in the arm for the Upper Clutha,’ Mr Geddes said.
The recommendation also stated that an option should be prepared that included the retention of a limited camping facility at the reserve and that the improvements to the existing pool be implemented.

The 10-Year-Plan had $10.6 million allocated to building the sports facility with a further $350,000 to upgrade the pool.

“If the recommendation is successful next week, we will look at doing the pool work from April this year and all going well start construction of the sports facility in 2013,” he said.

The decision about the site would initiate a new series of work streams with the community. The project required concept plans, facility-needs consultation, operational cost assessments, notification, designation and design.

“There is still a lengthy public process to be undertaken but the sooner we take the decision, the sooner we can get on with delivering a first class facility for the Upper Clutha communities,” Mr Geddes said.