Ideas abounded on how Kurow and district could be improved and developed at a public meeting on Saturday attended by more than 60 people.
Organisers were surprised at the turnout and the enthusiasm to make Kurow better.
Called by the Waitaki Valley Community Society, the meeting follows the formation of a working group which hopes to involve residents in smartening up the town and developing plans. Teacher Donna Smith and businessmen Steve Hotton and Calum Reid are behind the initiative.
Mr Reid, a member of the Ahuriri Community Board, said a vision for the town was prepared 15 years ago but never completed. The number of tourists coming through the town would increase when the Alps 2 Ocean cycleway from Mt Cook to Oamaru opened.
"If we want to capture some of the tourist dollars, we need to upgrade the town," he said.
Ideas raised at the meeting included establishing stronger links between the town, the Waitaki River and Kurow Hill, having colour schemes for buildings reflecting Kurow's heritage, safe swimming and picnic areas and hitching posts and quirky cycle racks.
