Submissions on the proposed Waitaki Sports and Events Centre led the charge at Tuesday’s final long term plan hearings, including one from the newly formed Waitaki Events Centre Charitable Trust.
Trust members Kevin Malcolm, Adair Craik and Deidre Senior requested the council cap its contribution at $14million and provided concept drawings of the proposed six-court facility at Centennial Park.
The project received an anonymous $5million pledge earlier this month, with the condition the community must match it by raising another $5million.
The total cost is expected to be about $24million, and the council asked for feedback on its contribution, giving options of capping it at $10million, $12million, $14million, or not contributing at all.
Mr Malcolm said he knew $14million was a big ask, and the group would be approaching outside funders with gusto come the end of the year.
The facility would be an asset for the community.
"No matter what part of our community you’re in, from the top of Macraes to just out of Twizel, to the person on the smallest possible benefit — this has got to be available for everyone," Mr Malcolm said.
"Let us inspire our community, let us inspire our youth and generations to come. I put this challenge to you [the council] — let’s become a council of rippers, really inspirational people promoting our region’s success," Mr Malcolm said.
Mrs Senior became emotional as she spoke of parents missing opportunities to watch their children play sport, without appropriate facilities in Oamaru.
Parents were forced to raise funds to send children to tournaments elsewhere, but they could not afford to go themselves, she said.
"I feel quite passionate, as you can see, for that.
"They are disengaged from their kids and that’s not fair — we’re actually splitting our community, and creating those that can and those that can’t," Mrs Senior said.
Oamaru Intermediate School pupil Leilani De-La-ford (13) said in her opinion, the council should grab the opportunity to build the stadium with both hands.
