The Wanaka Community Board is seeking public comment on the facility mix of the proposed Wanaka Aquatic Centre.

The board established a working party in August 2005 to identify a suitable site for an aquatic centre for Wanaka and to provide a concept plan. The working party recently reported back to the board on sites recommended for further consideration and on a recommended mix of facilities.

"The board has authorised stakeholder and public consultation on the proposed facility mix and the recommended sites," Queenstown Lakes District Council project manager Ken Gousmett said.

The working party considered 10 potential sites in or near the Wanaka township and then short listed the sites to five. All of the potential sites were located on publicly owned land.  The two sites recommended for further consideration were:

• Lismore Park, northwest end near Beaumont Street.
• Kelly's Flat off Aubrey Road.

"Should these sites not be acceptable to the Wanaka community then other alternatives will need to be investigated," Mr Gousmett said.

A report on the recommended facilities had been prepared by an independent consultant based on the current and future population of the Wanaka district. Proposed facilities included a six lane, 25 metre lane pool, a leisure pool, a combined learners hydrotherapy pool, a spa pool, a toddler's pool, an outdoor water play area.

Copies of the report to the Wanaka Community Board and the facilities mix report were now available from Council offices in Wanaka and Queenstown or could be read at the Wanaka Library or the Wanaka Pool and on Council's website www.qldc.govt.nz home page.

Written, faxed or email comments should be with the Council no later than Friday 28 April 2006.

"We are very much looking forward to receiving feedback from the community," Mr Gousmett said.

ENDS

For further information please contact Ken Gousmett 03 442 9071 or 027 229 6012.

By: Sarah