Central Otago District Council planning and strategy parks officer Maria Burnett said the Cromwell Racecourse Reserve Management Plan maintained "flexibility on timing" and allowed for future development.
"We have landed with a plan that provides a clear framework for managing all 93ha of the racecourse reserve," Ms Burnett said during the board’s meeting this week.
"Importantly, the plan does not commit council to funding. It allows these developments and improvements to happen if and when funding is allocated for future long-term plans and operational budgets."
Even though the timeline ends with council adoption of the plan, work would still continue as the plan was a living document, she said.
The draft plan was first presented to the Cromwell Community Board in May where the board approved the draft going to public consultation.
Due to its size and central location, the racecourse reserve was identified as a strong location candidate.
The draft plan proposed expanding the reserve into a large multisport facility. Long-term proposals included adding eight new sports fields.
Continued equestrian use at the racecourse reserve would be supported by council, alongside other recreational activities.
Public consultation ran for two months before finishing in July. The board heard oral submissions on August 19.
The equestrian community expressed safety concerns about the planned mixed use of the site.
The proposed additions of new sports fields had some concerned that Anderson Park and Alpha Street Reserve would be affected.
Board chairwoman Anna Harrison said there were no plans to change the nature of those reserves.
The amount of submissions meant the August meeting had to be split in two to allow members of the board time to digest and understand the submissions and the 843-word report before a deliberation meeting a week later, Mrs Harrison said.
After the deliberation meeting, more feedback from the public consultation was included before the final meeting, where the draft was recommended for formal adoption by council.
The plan would then go to council were they would vote on formally adopting the plan on Wednesday.
