An arrangement with a United States county that hosts gliding pilots from around the world to form a "sister city" relationship has spread to possibly encompass the whole of the Waitaki district, rather than just Omarama.
Glide Omarama's Gavin Wills, who spends part of his winter in Douglas County, suggested a sister city link between Minden in western Nevada and Omarama in North Otago, because of their reputation as "world gliding meccas".
But more similarities between the whole of the Waitaki district and Douglas County, where Minden is located, have been identified, and Mr Wills' idea has spread.
Ahuriri Community Board chairman and newly-elected Ahuriri ward councillor Craig Dawson, have been pursuing the proposal.
He said yesterday representatives from the Waitaki District Council and Douglas County planned a video conference some time next month to further explore the proposal.
They would also discuss a memorandum of understanding which would be prepared for approval by the Waitaki District Council and Douglas County.
Initially, Mr Wills, who has visited Minden and Douglas County for the past 12 years, was struck by the similarity with Omarama - not just as gliding centres attracting pilots from around the world.
There was the geography, population, recreational activities and rural-based atmosphere and economy.
Minden also had western United States' best knowhn recreational lake, Tahoe.
Omarama had Lake Benmore.
But Mr Dawson said once the idea was explored, it emerged both the Waitaki district and Douglas County had similarities that went beyond Minden and Omarama, prompting the proposal to spread the relationship.
