Plans to have Wanaka’s new sports facility ready for use by June 2016 will be discussed by the Queenstown Lakes District Council this week.

A report on the project is on the agenda for the first full Council meeting on Thursday. It includes a recommendation that the Council acquire an additional 1.758ha of land alongside the site at Three Parks it has already chosen for the development, and renegotiate its agreement with a local developer to ensure that the complex can be built to its 2016 deadline.

QLDC has an agreement that most of the required land will be vested in Council ownership by developers Willowridge Ltd and Ballantyne Investments Ltd (BIL). However, a review of the master plan for the site has shown that a further 1.758ha is desirable to improve the operational functionality of the facility, and better future-proof it for future expansion.

As part of these negotiations, the Council also wishes to renegotiate the stakeholder deed with Willowridge to bring forward the deadline for granting QLDC access and title to the land to ensure the project timelines can be met.

Architects Warren and Mahoney peer reviewed the master plan earlier this year and recommended changes to minimise cost, improve the facility’s efficiency and usability, and future proof the site’s long-term development potential. They found the original footprint dictated by the site would restrict flexible use of the facility and limit the links between the facility and the outdoor grounds.

Based on their recommendations, Council officers have recommended that the Council adopt a revised layout on six hectares, which is dependent on the acquisition of the additional land from Willowridge.

In March 2011 QLDC chose the Three Parks / North Three Parks area as the preferred location for the new facility, which has been under consideration since 2005. The project is being managed by contractors RCP. Provided the site is confirmed by Christmas, construction will be underway by the end of 2014 with completion by the end of June 2016.

The plans for the first stage are proposed to include a sports hall with three indoor courts; meeting rooms and a clubroom plus outdoor football fields. The facility would also allow for the future development of a centre of excellence for snow sports, an aquatic centre and two more indoor courts.

 

ENDS

The full agenda item and appendices is on our website: http://www.qldc.govt.nz/2013_full_council_agendas/category/1204/

Contact Adam Feeley for more information, 021 333539

By: QLDC