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p Legendary show about Sir Ed PAGE 2
Taking the plunge It was still dark yesterday morning when about 120 Mount Aspiring College students took the plunge to raise funds for Diabetes Otago. The Year 13 students each made a gold coin donation to join in the annual Polar Plunge, which every year raises money for a different charity.
Walnuts a winner for Cromwell man PAGE 6
PHOTO: WANAKA.TV
Discussion about location over Tim Brewster Wanaka Sun
MAC first XV come close PAGE 12
sunviews PAGE 13
Jessica paddles to Worlds PAGE 16
The $10million-plus Wanaka sports facility remains on track for its Three Parks site despite some strong lastminute submissions to the QLDC for reconsideration at next week’s council meeting which votes on the draft annual plan. “The decision to go to Three Parks was a decision made by council following a lengthy period of consultation with the community and a subsequent stakeholders agreement was entered into. No other options can or are being considered at this time,” council communication officer Meaghan Miller said. Resource economist Nick Brown, Wanaka Residents Association president Roger Gardiner, longtime community sports volunteer Dave Buckingham and businessman Peter Marshall all made arguments to locate the facility in the showgrounds area using the existing campground land. “The location of the project was
conceived some six/seven years ago. Then it was expected the growth in Wanaka would necessitate the creation of a new town centre. Much has changed since this time, the GFC, a slow down in Wanaka’s projected population growth, and significant changes in the retail marketplace,” Roger said in his submission. In March of last year councillors
if she still supported the decision. “We have given serious consideration, time and commitment to this project. I recall when the events centre was built in the 1990s and looked lonely stuck out in Frankton and now look at it, needing extensions and not enough space.” Roger also questioned the financial viability of the Three Parks based on the anticipated user charges presented
There are obviously some details about scale, but as far as I’m aware the decision has been made. voted eight to two in favour of the 5.5ha Ballantyne Road site with Wanaka councillors Leigh Overton, Lyal Cocks and Jude Battson in favour of the decision saying the showgrounds area lacked space for future growth. “If we built on the campground, in 20 years will the young people shake their heads and ask why did we not see the advantage of building at Three Parks?” Jude Battson said when asked
by council: “There was a projected annual loss of $864,750 per annum which would be closer to $1million as local sporting groups are unlikely to be able to contribute the $140,000 they are expected to pay. The projected loss assumes ‘patronage per annum’, of $140,000 with a further $25,000 from events, conferences, trade shows. The main sports users will be soccer (although now located at Kelly’s Flat),
basketball, netball, hockey. There is no evidence whatsoever that on a good day, with the wind blowing, these users can front with $140,000. I have spoken to representatives of basketball in the Upper Clutha. They pay approximately $6-7000 for facilities. To expect them to face charges double or treble this figure is ridiculous… They simply cannot afford it. Cumulatively I estimate that local user groups pay less than $20,000 per annum for facilities.” “I do not agree with all of the facts and assumptions made,” Leigh said when asked about the figures. “There will need to be further refinement of the model but we need to keep in mind we are planning to cater for future requirements, not just for present needs.” A resource economist who was involved in the first working party appointed by council to look at the options for Wanaka sports facility, Nick said it was not too late to re-assess the proposal. Story continues on page 3...