The idea will be discussed by the Central Otago District Council (CODC) at its next monthly meeting tomorrow, and the council is considering providing up to $20,000 towards the plan.
A report about the issue says the idea is to develop ``a strategic vision and plan for the future development of appropriate and sustainable sport and recreation facilities in the Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes area''.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) was already considering a plan for its region, and had discussed the idea with the Central Lakes Trust (CLT) and other funders, the report, by parks and recreation manager Mathew Begg, said.
``They [QLDC] have approached Central Otago District Council as it would make strategic sense to consider these facilities in a wider Central Otago-Queenstown Lakes view,'' Mr Begg said.
The Otago Daily Times' sister paper, the Lakes District and Central Otago News, announced the idea for the study in May last year.
At the time, CLT chief executive Paul Allison said the idea was being considered by the trust and could become a blueprint for the district. He said background work for the study was then being done and the CLT was particularly interested in a similar study done in the Waikato and would liaise with those who had undertaken that.
Mr Allison said the study would be done in partnership with district councils and could pave the way for studies in other sectors.
However, a group which was at the time seeking CLT support to investigate a new hockey turf in Alexandra said it hoped the study would take more than population growth into consideration and not overlook small areas.
``We don't want new facilities only going to certain places,'' Molyneux Turf Inc committee member Sally Mullally said in May last year.
``Queenstown doesn't have to have everything; what about the areas over this [Alexandra] way?''
Mr Begg's report said the plan would deliver ``a snapshot'' of existing sport and recreation facilities across the region, ``and provide a clear pathway for future development [of] future facilities that are fit for purpose, sustainable and meet the needs of those communities that use them''.
The project would consider ``influencing factors'' including population and demographic changes, behavioural and future trends, changes and the needs of participants.
It would then provide information and recommendations for future long-term plans, annual plans and asset management plans for district councils and funding agencies.
The plan would be co-ordinated by Sport Otago and cost up to $120,000, of which the CODC would contribute up to $20,000, Mr Begg said.
