Important issues for Upper Clutha
The Upper Clutha community will be asked to give serious consideration to identifying the future location of sports facilities in the area.
“The Wanaka Community Board will receive a discussion document on this key issue at its meeting next week,” Wanaka Community Board chairman Lyal Cocks said.
The Wanaka Sports Facilities Working Party had prepared a document that focused on four site options; Kelly’s Flat, Lismore Park, the Showgrounds area and a Greenfields site.
The various options had implications but probably the biggest issue for the community to consider was the option of creating an integrated sports hub for both indoor and outdoor codes. The merits of co-locating an Aquatic Centre to add benefits and vibrancy to any site also had to be considered.
“What needs to be considered is the best use of community-owned land and also planning for the community needs into the future,” working party chairman Mike Saunders said.
One site option in particular would need careful consideration.
“The discussion document explores the idea of utilising the Showgrounds area and Pembroke Park. This option also might impinge on the existing Wanaka Camp Ground,’ he said.
With the lease due to expire in 2010, it was timely to consider and debate the future of the Wanaka Camp Ground site.
“In many ways the timing is ideal. We need to visit the future of the camp and we also have an opportunity to include it in the sports facility site mix,” Mr Cocks said.
More work would need to be done to fully understand the consequences of changing, closing or moving the camp ground, he said.
“These discussions are just at a starting point, at the end of the day the location of the sports facilities and the future of the camping ground will be a decision for the community,” Mr Cocks said.
It was expected consultation on the options would get underway before the end of August.
“I hope that the Upper Clutha community takes the time to get informed and then give us their considered feedback,” Mr Cocks said.