Pavilion on long list of projects

A revamp of the Lake Hayes Pavilion grounds is one of a raft of community facility upgrades in the works for the Queenstown Lakes District Council.

The $250,000 project involves finishing the pavilion's car park by using asphalt and gravel, and reseeding grass areas.

A $13,000 grass renewal contract was awarded to the Roading Company to re-establish grass between the pavilion and State Highway 6, with work to occur between March 15 and 19.

The formation of 20 marked car parks and a bus turnaround lane is programmed to occur between April 6 and May 28.

Tenders closed on March 15 and there had been interest from Wakatipu contractors, council project manager Russell Engelke said this week.

The pavilion would remain operational during the work. Machinery would be moved out of sight on weekends and Lake Leisure was being consulted so there was no issue with bookings, Mr Engelke said.

The council had received positive feedback from the Frankton Community Association and individual residents about the $20,000 Kawarau Falls Park landscaping upgrade.

The contract would be tendered by the end of this week, with a start date expected in late March. Work would include levelling the circular playground to improve drainage and keep water from ponding on the basketball half-court.

Mr Engelke said a barbecue facility at the park, located between Alta Pl and Remarkables Cres, could be considered.

Subcontractor John Sutton has been engaged for the technical sections on the continuing upgrade of the Kelvin Peninsula Track. The $146,000 upgrade of the 2.7km walk and cycleway, from Bay View Rd to Willow Pl, began in mid-October and is on course for its revised finishing time of late April.

A pair of prefabricated unisex and wheelchair friendly Novaloo toilets are scheduled to be installed at the Queenstown Recreation Reserve between April 12 and 16.

The $85,000 toilets would be located below the car park, Mr Engelke said.

Matakauri Park, the wetland reserve on Gorge Rd, will benefit from a $10,000 pedestrian bridge over the unnamed creek, which will complete the walkway.

Astroturf for the cracked asphalt tennis courts on Frankton Domain had been ordered for after Easter. The Queenstown Hockey Club contributed $10,000 and the Community Trust of Southland granted $15,000 towards the $99,000 resurfacing project.