In a report to the Cromwell Community Board board yesterday, Central Otago District Council property and facilities manager Mike Kerr said the initial estimate for that stage of the town centre development had been pruned from just over $1 million.
The project was part of the ongoing rejuvenation of the Cromwell town centre. Work on the State Highway 8B entrance will include wildflower planting, a children's playground next to the skate park and basketball court, an amphitheatre by the playground, two avenues of pin oak trees, stone walls and contoured grassed mounds on the Barry Ave and Sargood Rd sides and in front of the Big Fruit area.
Earthworks were estimated to cost about $293,780, hard surfaces would cost about $148,360, street furniture $112,020 and planting and irrigation $238,605. Mr Kerr said the prices were ''rough order'' at this stage.
One possible source of funding was the Cromwell reserves contribution account, which contained more than $1.2 million and was made up of development contributions set aside to fund new reserves and reserves' capital works due to growth.
The reserve was developed in the 1980s as part of Clyde Dam work and town centre relocation.
Cromwell's population at the completion of the dam project, in 1991, was 2899;
the population in the 2013 census was 4146. As the population had grown by 30% since the early 1990s, the board resolved to look at using the fund for 30% of the project cost.
It approved design plans and estimates so detailed designs and costings could be developed and the project tendered.
Mr Kerr said the concept plan had been revised following feedback from community groups and it was hoped to complete the work by the end of November.
Board member Shirley Calvert asked if native trees could be used instead of pin oaks.
