Some disappointed supporters of a lakeside sports hub in the centre of Wanaka have said they will step back from a site selection controversy that has threatened to split the town.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council last week decided in a 9-2 vote to locate the $10 million stadium and associated facilities at a "greenfields" site in Willowridge Development Ltd's proposed Three Parks subdivision.
After the decision was made, Queenstown Lakes Mayor Vanessa van Uden called for the community to work together, after years of wrangling about site options.
Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean this week joined Ms van Uden in pleading for unity.
"Indecision over the location of these new sports facilities has gone on for far too long. Sports groups in Wanaka are desperate for new and modern facilities and the sooner work starts on getting the development started, the better.
"I would hope that now that a location has been found the community accepts it and works towards getting the town's new sports facilities under way.
"The very worst thing that could happen would be for the community to allow controversy over the location of this project to continue to stall its progress into the future," Mrs Dean said.
Former sports facilities working party chairman Mike Saunders said yesterday he had spent five years on the project and wanted to focus on other things.
"I don't think they [councillors] are of a mind to be changed. The decision was made before they got to the meeting the other day. They weren't listening to the debate," he said.
Mr Saunders felt people did not realise the greenfields option includes just one new playing field, when Wanaka needed several playing fields.
Mr Saunders is the chairman of Lakes Leisure, a council-controlled company in charge of the district's sports and community facilities.
Wanaka was short of sports facilities five years ago, was still short and it would be four years before they were completed, he said.
Wanaka would end up with two sports hubs comprising the existing fields in town and a hub on the town fringe. This would create event planning and transport issues, he said.
Former deputy mayor John Wilson shared Mr Saunder's sentiments about stepping back. He hoped the facilities could be delivered "on time and on budget".
"We [the lobby group] haven't had a chance to reconvene. I have just been in Christchurch for the weekend and that [seeing earthquake damage] puts everything in perspective ... The only way you [divide the town] is if you continue to stir the pot. I certainly have no intention of doing that," Mr Wilson said.
The council has acknowledged the public had not been specifically consulted on the greenfields option.
The council instructed staff to explore greenfields options after the working party completed its report recommending the sports hub go on the show and camp grounds, while "landbanking" greenfields for future reserves.
The council's next steps are to sign stakeholder agreements with developers regarding reserve land contributions, issue a notice of requirement to designate the land as required for the Wanaka sports facilities, and undertake a feasibility study to determine the nature, cost and timing of the various sports components to be incorporated into the facility.
Greenfields sports development
• What does greenfields mean? A greenfields development is typically on undeveloped land, often on the fringes of a town or city. It enables planners to work with an "empty slate", unencumbered by existing built environment.
• Where: in the Three Parks/North Three Parks developments, opposite Mt Iron. The landowners are Willowridge Developments Ltd (Allan Dippie) and Ballantyne Investments Ltd (Neil Matchett of Wanaka, William and Catherine Haig, Mark O'Reilly of Christchurch).
• What: 5.5ha sports hub comprising indoor stadium, future aquatic centre footprint, hockey turf, eight outdoor netball courts, playing field, up to 435 car parks.
• Cost: $10.4 million
• When: Within three to four years (except for $11.5 million aquatic centre, which is on hold for at least 10 years).
• Average annual rates increase: 2.93% or $66.28 per ratepayer.
• About Three Parks: This is a 100ha block near Puzzling World, bounded by State Highway 84, Ballantyne Rd and Riverbank Rd. It will result in a secondary town centre for Wanaka, catering for big box retailers and about 750 housing units.
The QLDC retains rights during the staged development to exercise "health checks" on the effects it may have on Wanaka's central retailers.
The site does not include the decommissioned oxidation ponds on Ballantyne Rd. Roadworks started recently.
• What is North Three Parks? A block of land owned by three parties, with the largest area owned by Ballantyne Investments Ltd. This development has not advanced very far through the plan change process.
