The Queenstown Lakes District Council's decision yesterday to proceed with a new community swimming pool in Wanaka's Three Parks subdivision was both praised and condemned in the town last night.
Wanaka Sports Action Group founder Quentin Smith told the Otago Daily Times the decision reflected the views of the public during consultation.
''By doing this, we are committing our resources to one outcome and in a reasonably timely manner and that reflects the appetite in the community.''
He described as ''ludicrous'' a staff recommendation to delay the start of the $11.8 million Three Parks pool, and use the existing pool and a proposed pool in the North Lake subdivision in the short term.
Wanaka resident John Walker, who opposed an early start on the pool when he spoke at a public hearing earlier this month, said he was very disappointed and surprised the council had not followed the staff recommendation.
The impact on rates had been left ''up in the air'' meaning there was uncertainty for ratepayers.
''There is just not, as I see it, a responsible, balanced approach.
''They seem to be prepared to ignore the financial consequences as long as they can carry on with this as fast as possible.
''I just don't understand what their strategy is; that it all has to be so urgent.''
Wanaka Community Board chairwoman Rachel Brown was pleased with the decision and believed the community was behind the idea of a new pool being built in the near future.
''I think people were really disappointed it was pushed out.
''There was a feeling that if we were going to do it, we need to get into it.''
Ms Brown said she did not think people could afford ''lots of new rates'' and ratepayers should be ''the last port of call''.
''There are a bunch of people on the ground ready to start fundraising and applying for funding and looking at asset sales.''
She considered it would be hard to say goodbye to the existing Plantation Rd pool but ''it's stuffed''.
Ms Brown said Wanaka, ''like it or not'', was committed to a new sports facility at Three Parks and there were social and financial advantages in co-locating facilities.
She believed there needed to be a ''really, really good'' cycle link from the schools to the Three Parks area.
