The Vincent Community Board started their year by hitting the road and holding their first meeting of 2026 in Omakau.
The meeting started off with a moment of silence and a heartfelt tribute to former Central Otago District councillor Lynley Claridge who died last year, read by fellow councillor Martin McPherson who said the loss ‘‘left a significant hole in our hearts’’.
One of the topics on the agenda was an update on the Omakau Hub project which began with a sod-turning ceremony late last year.
Council property and facility officer Tara Bates delivered the report to the board and said there had been some ‘‘ups and downs’’ with the project so far.
The project had already experienced three incidents of flooding caused by irrigation issues, such as equipment failure and management of k-lines causing excessive amounts of water to flood foundations.
As a result some foundation trenches had to be pumped out causing a delay of up one month and at a cost of at least $4000, she said.
As well as flooding delays, there were some design co-ordination related delays, it was hoped the project would be finished by February next year.
Board chairman Jayden Cromb said despite the Christmas break and delays he was really impressed to see how far the project had come.
Also on the agenda for the board was to recommend to council to grant a new lease the more than 7000sqm area at Molyneux Park.
The new lease would see the the netball centre pay $260 plus GST per year to rent the land with rent reviews happening every five years until the final expiry date of June 2053.
Central Otago Netball committee executive Jo Ridder spoke of the importance of the netball centre during the public forum.
The courts which are funded and maintained by the netball community host more than 1000 players, coaches, umpires and spectators as well as tournaments, she said.
Representing the Central Otago A&P Association was junior vice-president Tracy Patterson who spoke to the board about the upcoming A&P show in Omakau next weekend.
Jokes were made about how Mrs Patterson who was also the deputy mayor was speaking in the public forum.
The show would be held on Valentine's Day, so alongside the usual stalls and entertainment, there would also be some theming to celebrate the day.
The board also heard the show would be opened by New Zealand curling representative Jed Nevill from Moa Creek keeping with the Central Otago theming, she said.
