The council recently endorsed the membership of the groups for projects to improve and revamp the Balclutha War Memorial Hall and Naish Park.
The two projects form a major part of the "Our Place Balclutha Community Plans", recently adopted by the council.
The groups are to consider suggestions of changes and improvements and come up with proposals and related businesses cases that affect rates as little as possible.
Former Christchurch builder Kevin Barron, who has recently returned to live in the district, was endorsed as the leader of the Balclutha War Memorial Hall project, which aims to rejuvenate the facility and investigate the creation of a community hub.
It was this experience, along with plans to return to live in Balclutha, which led him to volunteer to be part of the project, the council heard.
Self-employed Balclutha businessman Jared McPhee was endorsed as the leader of the Naish Park project.
Council chief executive Steve Hill said it would be up to the groups to decide the next stage of the projects.
There would be "trigger points" where the groups would have to come back to the council for approval; for example, once the groups had completed a business case, planned to transfer assets or if they wanted to spend over any existing budgets the council already had in place.
"The two groups will now work to establish its structure and start the next steps to get these projects off the ground."
The four Balclutha-ward councillors will also play a role in these projects.
"Equally, the groups are aware of wanting to make good progress and the project scopes require any ‘easy wins’ to be considered a priority."
Operating budgets were in place for both assets but no specific budgets existed for co-ordinating groups. Third-party funding will be an important source.
The groups were formed after a series of public meetings and Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan said the council wanted to thank all those who volunteered to be part of this "exciting chapter".
People could still become involved in the projects by contacting Alana King at the council.
Ideas for groups to investigate
Balclutha War Memorial Hall project.
• Provision for a new building or a refurbishment/replacementImprovements to surrounds of the building
• Relocation of Cenotaph
• Recognition of it being a War Memorial Hall
• Activities, services and functions to be provided for, including a visitor attraction, museum, i-Site, toilets, parking and a community hub
• Investigate the relocation of library services
Members of co-ordinating group
Kevin Barron, Irene Mosley, Russel Carr, Mark Way, Sarah van Asperen, Gwyn Stevenson, Tim Blackler, Lisa Watt, David Tait, Beth Linklater, Maureen Renton, Rodd Pearson, Natasha Munro, Brett Stewart, Susan Landels Naish Park
Naish Park
• Emphasising the natural aspects of the park
• Connecting Naish Park to Old Boys Park
• Providing limited residential development of Old Boys Park
• Discontinuing athletic use of Old Boys Park
• Duck pond refurbishment and possible water feature
• Creating a garden of "national significance"
• Cycling and walking connections
• Providing an extension to the camping ground
• Possible bike park
Members of co-ordinating group
Jared McPhee, Kevin Barron, Sarah van Asperen, Sara Sutherland, Lynda Miller, Maxine Evans, Barbara Cowie and Brett Stewart
