The application, by the Wanaka Watersports Facility Trust, was notified by the Queenstown Lakes District Council yesterday.
The trustees are Michael Sidey, Nicola Blennerhassett and John Hollyer, and their application was prepared by Duncan White of Paterson Pitts Group.
In his report, Mr White said the building would provide storage and facilities for ''non-motorised watersports''.
The 420sq m building would be on the ''bank of Lake Wanaka'', in the Roys Bay Recreation Reserve, east of Stoney Creek.
It would be 1m from the boundary of the reserve and the Lake Wanaka land administered by Land Information NZ where a minimum 15m setback was required.
Mr White said Linz had approved the ''setback infringement'' and a boardwalk into Crown land.
He described the southwestern corner of Roys Bay as a ''long, sheltered, reach of the lake'' with relatively shallow water where there was ''less potential for conflict with motorboats''.
Users of that part of the lake included rowers, swimmers, triathletes and multisport athletes, stand-up paddleboarders and kayakers.
The building would be between the lake and two big protected sequoia trees, in a ''less attractive and less usable area'' of the reserve, covered by eucalyptus, douglas fir and willow trees. The area had no indigenous vegetation.
The beach below the building would be unaltered ''and so the building does not affect the natural character of the shoreline'', Mr White said.
''The proposed building will result in only minor effects on landscape character and visual amenity and will be consistent with the anticipated character of the recreation reserve, the natural character of the lake margin and its urban context.''
Mr White said the applicant's landscape report said the building would ''not be so visually prominent that it would dominate or detract from that part of the landscape that was natural''.
The margins of the lake in the area were already ''highly modified'' by a car park, vehicle accesses, a sculpture, a playground and barbecue areas.
''Occasional public buildings are an expected element on the margins of a lake in an urban area, especially where there are existing facilities such as sealed accesses and parking areas.''
The building would be clad in cedar and ''naturally oxidised corten steel''.
Its height would be less than 6m and it would contain storage for boats and gear, an exercise room, internal changing facilities, public toilets and changing areas, wash-down facilities and bike racks.
It would be on piles and floor areas would be above the flood level for the Wanaka CBD of 281.9m above sea level.
The building would have no retail sales, no commercial recreation was proposed from it and it did not contain any ''social space''.
Some facilities would be available free to the public, while others would be available only to those paying a subscription.
The boardwalk, on the northern side of the rectangular building, would be open to the public.
Mr White said the building was allowed for in the council's reserve management plan and was consistent with its objectives and policies.
He noted the trust proposing the building originated from the Wanaka Rowing Club's search for a site on which to build storage for its rowing skiffs and gym equipment.
The club had investigated eight sites from Glendhu Bay to Eely Point and prepared concept plans for three: at the Wanaka Yacht Club, Eely Point and Tapley Paddock.
''Due to the degree of compromise required to make these sites feasible, and the safety issues at some of the sites, they have been abandoned,'' he said.
The public has until December 10 to make submissions.
