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Leisure Hub Q & A
Starting July 21 the Central District Times launched a column aimed at telling people more about the proposed Taihape Hub at Memorial Park.The project expected to cost about $3-4 million, involves many sporting and social groups in the region, and there have been several meetings aimed at getting the project off the ground. However, there are still some issues which people want to know more about. The aim of this column is to try to answer those queries.
If there is something you'd like to know about the project, contact Terry Karatau at the Times to submit your question. Email to terry.karatau@msl.co.nz
or phone 06 388-0639. Your question will be answered and published in the Times and added to this page.
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Question: Who will be responsible for running the Leisure hub?
Answer: The building and fundraising committee is exploring various options to ensure the smooth management ann scheduling of facilities and playing fields. There is a possiblility a new trust willl be formed, with trustees appointed by the community, to be responsible for the operations of Memorial Park and facilities.
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Question: Who is involved with organising the Leisure Hub at Memorial Park?
Answer: Following a community driven decision the Taihape community Development Trust had a feasibility study done in 2008. The Trust then tasked a steering committee to work through the conceptual stage of The Hub and develop a brief for architect Mike Swann.
When the brief was developed the steering committee was disbanded and a building committee and a fundraising committee were formed.
These have now been re-formed into the Leisure Hub committee which is made up of representatives of park users and other interested groups.
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Question: When will the building and development start and what does Stage one entail?
Answer: It is important the outcome of community consultation is positive. Fundraising will continue. No development will start until all the money has been raised.
Stage one:
- Demolition of the existing grandstand and replace with a new Leisure Hub building.
- Resurfacing or renewing netball and tennis courts and enhancement of facilities for players and spectators.
- Street and landscaping including provision of parking
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Question: Who will use The Hub?
Answer: All of the clubs and organisations that currently use the grandstand facilities will be able to use the new facilities of The Hub. This includes Northern Wanganui Rugby Union and Utiku Old Boys Rugby. Use of all facilities will include the new chartered club, Taihape Rugby, Mokai Patea Rugby League, Taihape Netball teams, Tennis Club, Squash Club, Rotary Club of Taihape and any other club or society who may wish to make use of this community facility. The Spinning club and Otaihape Alpine Club have signalled they may wish to use The Hub for meetings and training. The public will be able to use the Hub for functions such as weddings, birthday parties, reunions and whanau events. The many regional and national companies who have gatherings in Taihape are also potential users.
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Question: Is this project being funded by ratepayers?
Answer: Rangitikei District Council rates are not being used to fund the Taihape Leisure Centre project. The chairman of the Taihape Community Development Trust, Trevor Dyke, says it is disappointing to hear people saying their rates bill is so high because of the Leisure Hub development, “We can assure rate payers that council is not providing any financial assistatnce,??? he said.
That comment has been reiterated by Rangitikei mayor Chalky Leary. “The Memorial Park project is a great idea [and the] council will help in any way they can but not financially – certainly no rates money.???Mr Dyke said the Trust is behind the Leisure hub community project and will be heavily involved with fundraising. “The bigger picture is the realisation of our plan to decrease ratepayer input to community facilities such as the Memorial Park,??? he said.
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