QLDC general manager community services Ken Bailey said he was excited at the prospect of the development's completion and was sure many people would be looking forward to making the most of the upgraded lakefront.
"At over three-and-a-half metres wide and stretching from the Mount Aspiring Road Carpark through to Wānaka’s town centre, the new shared pathway running alongside the lake will provide the continuous access this project has championed to date," Mr Bailey said.
The pathway also plays host to the historic Te Huruhuru’s Map – a recreation of the first map of the area which aided early explorers.
"While lawn areas have been seeded and need a few more weeks to reach their green and grassy potential, when they’re ready to host your picnic or play we’ll really start to realise what a people-friendly place we’ve got down here," Mr Bailey said.
The section of Ardmore St between McDougall St and Dungarvon St will open back up to two lanes of traffic, and 110 new car parking spaces will be available for use along the lakefront.
Mr Bailey acknowledged that while the development was largely complete and able to be opened to the public, there were still finishing touches to be made.
Mr Bailey thanked the Wānaka community for their patience during the upgrades to Stage Two, acknowledging changes to Ardmore Street would have extended a few commutes and a large chunk of the lakefront had been unavailable over the winter months.
