Several Wanaka watersports groups have combined forces with the Wanaka Rowing Club in a bid to build a shared $1 million facility on the town's lakefront.
The project has evolved from the rowing club's long-running and, at times, contentious battle to find a suitable site for a boat shed next to Lake Wanaka which would meet its requirements and win public approval.
After eight different site proposals were considered and subsequently abandoned by the club, it sought the involvement of the Wanaka Lake Swimmers Club and local multisport and kayaking fraternities, which have now joined the project.
''We think that probably involves about 1000 Wanaka people, 200 families,'' Wanaka Watersports Facility building committee chairman Michael Sidey said.
''My thoughts were that if you involve more groups in Wanaka you create a wider usage and, therefore, a more acceptable solution.''
The building committee's Wanaka Rowing Club representative, Nick Blennerhassett, said rather than establishing multiple facilities, one building could cater for all lake user groups.
Mr Sidey said the groups had agreed on a preferred lakefront building site, on recreation reserve in the southwest corner of Roys Bay just west of the Rotary playground and in front of two prominent sequoia trees, which would effectively screen the building from neighbours opposite.
''We think the site doesn't affect anybody directly. We're not encroaching on anybody's privacy or [creating a] visual disadvantage.''
The site is one of four originally suggested by the Wanaka Residents' Association as being suitable for a boat shed.
The building committee has submitted its draft plans for the building - prepared by Wanaka architect Alistair Madill - to the Queenstown Lakes District Council for inclusion in its Wanaka foreshore draft reserve management plan.
The management plan provided a ''better process'' for the project to get off the ground, ''rather than putting something out there and getting knocked around'', Mr Sidey said.
The building `s footprint is 420sq m with a maximum height of 5m, and includes storage for rowing boats and kayaks, toilets, changing rooms, a gym and outdoor bike stands.
There is no social area in the building so as to alleviate public concern about noise and late-night use.
''We're very conscious of the public's requirements,'' Mr Sidey said.
Members of all the watersports groups were ''very enthusiastic'' about the project and its long-term benefits.
''The lake is a great recreational facility and to encourage young people to stay in the town and be active, positively active, this is a great way to do that we think.
''Things do change and we've got to adapt to what is required for the next generations and this will do that for the next 50 years.''
The Queenstown Lakes District Council had been ''very encouraging'' about the project, but had requested the design also include public toilets.
Ms Blennerhassett said it was hoped, all going to plan, the first sod could be turned next year.
The rowing club's last site proposal - near Morrow's Mead on the western shore of the lake - was made public more than a year ago and gained provisional approval from the Wanaka Community Board. However, it was later deemed unsuitable by the club because of access issues.
The club had earlier withdrawn an application for a lease over a site next to Stoney Creek because of objections from neighbours. Plans to build at Eely Point were also scrapped because of safety concerns over lake user conflicts.
