Investigations into National Sailing Centre proposal
Auckland City Council will undertake further investigations and public consultation on the merits of including a National Sailing Centre as part of stage three of The Landing upgrade at Okahu Bay.
The Arts, Culture and Recreation Committee considered a proposal put forward by Yachting New Zealand (YNZ) and the Royal Akarana Yacht Club to establish a national sailing centre of excellence on the site.
Further research will now be carried out to determine whether the building and other requirements can be balanced with the needs of existing users on the site.
The committee chairperson Councillor Penny Sefuiva, says the concept of a National Sailing Centre is interesting and the redevelopment of The Landing may provide an opportunity to create such a facility.
"Sailing is a popular sport and a national centre of excellence would ensure that young people have the opportunity to train and develop their sailing skills to enable them to compete on the world stage," Ms Sefuiva says.
"There is currently no single location in the region that can offer all the facilities to train Olympic-level athletes and the yachting community widely believes that one is needed.
"Further research and consultation will enable us to determine whether The Landing, which already experiences considerable pressures for use, is the right location."
The main objectives of a National Sailing Centre would be:
to act as a centre of excellence, a key training location and a support base for high performance sailors, coaches and race officials
to provide youth training and a centralised base for facilities, equipment and resources
to assist yacht clubs in managing and increasing yachting participation.
Council research shows that approximately 60 per cent of Yachting New Zealand's national membership is based in the Auckland region and18 of the region's 48 yachting clubs are within Auckland City boundaries.
The Landing has been identified as the preferred location in Auckland city because it meets key criteria including easy access to sailing waters, launching facilities and the provision of a wharf, pontoon and marina.
The council's vision for redevelopment of the area is to support and foster a broad range of water-based activities, while opening up the area for the public to experience recreational boating on the harbour and foreshore. Ngati Whatua have also registered their interest in the site for waka sailing and storage.
Further consultation with key stakeholders, user groups and the wider community will establish whether the final stage of development of The Landing - including the proposal for a National Sailing Centre - can balance the requirements of all groups within the available land area.
If the concept of a National Sailing Centre at the site was to be progressed, designs for the public wharf at The Landing would need additional funds to support the development.
Although the council will lead further concept design and consultation for the whole site, responsibility for the funding and development of a National Sailing Centre lies with the yachting organisations. It would also require wider regional and national commitment.
This project is not a strategic priority for funding in the city's long term community plan.
The Landing redevelopment project has recently seen the completion of stage 2A. The upgrades completed in this stage have made significant improvements to health, safety and environmental standards and will ensure maximum use of the site for recreational boating.
Improvements include:
an upgraded entrance and driveway, including a sealed surface area with drainage, enhanced layout for boat ramp access and short term car and boat trailer parking
better pedestrian access with a timber boardwalk and concrete walkway
a new rigged yacht storage area and a relocated dinghy racks area
new lighting and landscaping.
The public can now use car and trailer parking as well as the boat launching area.
The next phase of construction is due to start mid-September and will include a new sealed hardstand, washdown area, filtration system, waste management shed and Novaloo toilet. This work should be completed early-February 2008.
Work to upgrade the boat ramp will commence once resource consents have been granted by Auckland Regional Council.