A report on the proposed community and arts centre (Remarkables Centre) for Queenstown's Stanley Street, to be considered by the Queenstown Lakes District Council meeting on Friday, was released today, QLDC chief executive Duncan Field said.

The working party's progress report and economic feasibility assessment contained a clear indication of the cost of the project, the benefits to the community and the projected cost to the ratepayer.

The full council would be asked to receive the report and approve a comprehensive consultation strategy.

"If the council approve the recommendations then the community will be asked to consider all the details and have the debate, as to where to from here," Mr Field said.

No further decisions would be taken by the council until that process had been thoroughly undertaken.

In July 2005 the working party was asked to prepare a site master plan and costings for a: 700 to 1000 seat auditorium; a 200 to 250 seat playhouse, rehearsal spaces, an art gallery, community rooms, plazas and a library.

The total cost of the community facilities was estimated to be $62.6 million, however the working party has recommended commencing with stage one, including the auditorium, community rooms, rehearsal spaces and a community meeting and conference centre, a total cost of $54.6 million.

There was expected to be at least a three year period before anything was constructed above ground because of design approvals and the requirement to construct the underground carpark $15.8 million (funded via a private sector partnership).The project was also reliant on community trust funding, developer contributions (initially loan funded) and other funding means.

There would be a cost to the ratepayer, once the centre was built, estimated to be approximately $95 per household per annum.

"Affordability, funding options and opportunities are some of the key things we are seeking community feedback on," Mr Field said.

Consultation would also focus on gaining feedback on:

• The activities proposed for the site.
• Opportunities that the site will afford present and future generations.
• Physical elements of the development.

Copies of the report would be available on the council website or at the Queenstown council office from today.

If the council adopted the recommendations on Friday, consultation would get underway and submissions would be called for from Monday to December 7, 2007.

ENDS

By: Tamah