How do I join up as a user?
Go to the 'JOIN' page and either fill out the online application (user or bay lease for watercraft) or print off a form, fill out, and either scan and email to wanakawatersports@gmail.com or post to P O Box 215, Wanaka 9343. The Management Committee will assess your application and, once approved, you can pay the user charge by bank transfer and arrange to meet the administrator to be issued with a swipe fob.
Can I store my kayak/paddleboard/rowing skiff?
Yes, as above fill out the online application or download and fill out a paper copy. We expect to have racking in place by May 2020. Until then, please register your interest via the WWF email address. Racking space will be limited, and preference will be given to regular users (as demonstrated by frequency of access fob usage). Storage of watercraft is on a per annum bay lease basis, and gives access to the whole Facility as per the User Charges Schedule.
Is the Facility insured?
Yes, the building itself is insured, but the WWF Trust has minimal contents insurance and accepts no liability for users' possessions or equipment. Users must arrange their own insurance for equipment they store and/or use at the Facility.
Will this Facility be available to all lake users, or just the rowing, kayak and swimming clubs?
The facility is not restricted to clubs. It is available to the public for activities related to the water on a 'user pays' basis. Changing areas, showers, toilets, lockers, boat storage and exercise room will be available to all lake users. Control of entry is via an access swipe fob.
What facilities are incorporated within the building?
Storage areas for kayaks, paddleboards and rowing skiffs; changing rooms, toilets, showers and lockers; an exercise room to house ergs and other equipment. On the outside west wall there are two toilets, available to the general public and maintained by the Council, Several bike racks will be available by around April. All facilities will be accessible by wheelchair.
Who can use the training room?
User clubs have been allocated the training room at designated times. Please check the booking calendar https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=wanakawatersports%40gmail.com&ctz=Pacific%2FAuckland
At other times, registered users may use the training room and the exercise equipment.
At other times, registered users may use the training room and the exercise equipment.
What are the hours of operation?
The Resource Consent allows use of the Facility between 5am and 11pm.
The public toilets are managed by the Council and are open at the same times as other QLDC public toilets.
The public toilets are managed by the Council and are open at the same times as other QLDC public toilets.
Is the Facility staffed and/or monitored?
The Facility is not staffed, but an administrator will be available for issuing access fobs - please email wanakawatersports@gmail.com to get in touch. The Facility has a CCTV system and motion sensors which activate when someone gets inside without using an access fob. The building is monitored by a security company.
How much parking is available?
The facility is located next to the existing Stoney Creek carpark. With heavy use of this carpark by visitors to That Wanaka Tree, space is limited during the middle of the day. There is additional parking on the opposite side of the Wanaka-Mount Aspiring Road.
Can I hire the Facility for an event?
If the event has a watersports basis, you can apply to hire the Facility. Contact the Management Committee on wanakawatersports@gmail.com
Will there be any social functions held in the Facility?
Prize-givings and regattas for water-based sports will on occasions be based at the Facility.
Can the Facility be hired for a wedding, funeral, party or similar event?
No, the Resource Consent conditions limit the use of the Facility to activities relating to water sports. There are no facilities for venue hire (e.g. bar or kitchen) within the building.
Will the building affect access to the beach?
There is generally a wide area of beach for people to walk on the lakeside of the Facility and a cycle and walking path behind the building. There will be no wharves, pontoons or slipways constructed.
Will the building be subject to flooding?
The facility is designed on two levels: the upper level being above the current recognised flood safety line, and the lower level (storage area for boats) designed so any water that enters the building will drain through the floor boards and not have a detrimental effect on the construction materials. A grassy bund protects the building in the case of a massive flood and debris flow from Stoney Creek. The December 2019 flood peaked at around 1 metre below the boat storage level and 1.5 metres below the exercise room level.
Why do we need this Facility?
Wanaka has an incredibly strong following of passionate and dedicated water sportspeople; swimmers, rowers, paddleboarders, kayakers and multi-sport athletes. Thousands of tri and multi-sporters come to Wanaka each year to train and compete in our lake. We also have a growing number of people who swim the lake year-round as members of the Wanaka Lake Swimmers. There has until now been no adequate, centralised and suitable location for storing equipment associated with the local watersports clubs, so a team of volunteers joined forces in 2014 to make it a reality.
The Wanaka Rowing Club will have a large storage area for rowing skiffs, which, at between 10 and 18 metres long, cannot be transported on a car roof rack. The Wanaka Lake Swimmers Club are looking forward to being able to shower and change after their swim, before heading on to work or home. The multi-sport and tri athletes see the value of a single facility to store gear such as bikes and kayaks, as well as to provide a space for erg training and showering etc. Given the success of New Zealanders in rowing, kayaking, paddle-boarding and open water swimming, it seems a good time for Wanaka to join other towns with adequate facilities for outdoor recreation on our number one asset - the Lake.
The Wanaka Rowing Club will have a large storage area for rowing skiffs, which, at between 10 and 18 metres long, cannot be transported on a car roof rack. The Wanaka Lake Swimmers Club are looking forward to being able to shower and change after their swim, before heading on to work or home. The multi-sport and tri athletes see the value of a single facility to store gear such as bikes and kayaks, as well as to provide a space for erg training and showering etc. Given the success of New Zealanders in rowing, kayaking, paddle-boarding and open water swimming, it seems a good time for Wanaka to join other towns with adequate facilities for outdoor recreation on our number one asset - the Lake.
What is the ownership structure of the Watersports Facility?
The facility is a community asset which is owned by the WWF charitable trust. The Trustees have handed over management of the Facility to a Management Committee comprised of representatives from the user clubs. The Trustees will retain a governance role.
How much did the Watersports Facility cost to build?
The quote for construction was $1,526,508.00 + GST - this was funded by grants from the Central Lakes Trust, the Otago Community Trust, the Sargood Bequest, Lion Foundation, Alexander McMillan Trust and a number of other anonymous grants and donations. As well as the construction costs, there was around $460,000.00, raised through donations from the community and assistance from institutional funders, that went towards promoting the project through three rigorous processes: the Wanaka Lakefront Reserves Management Plan (2014), the Resource Consent (2015-2016), and a challenge of the RC decision to the Environment Court (2016-2017).
If I want to make a financial contribution, how do I go about it?
The Wanaka Watersports Facility Trust is a registered Charitable Trust. Funding is through the Foundation Club, where you can become a Silver Member ($1,000) or a Gold Member ($2,000 +). Smaller amounts are welcome, and all contributions will receive a tax credit. Our Trust bank account details are: The Wanaka Watersports Facility Trust - BNZ - 02-0673-0125190-002 - thank you for your donation.
Where is the Facility located?
The proposed building is located at the western end of Roys Bay, on the lake side of the two giant redwood trees. This is close to the community BBQ and playground.
Why this location?
Rowing, kayaking and swimming all are silent and powered by human muscle. Launching and landing in all cases require calm water, without other large boats making wakes and noise. Roys Bay has the ideal conditions for delicate vessels and swimmers, and the area also provides a convenient transition location for multi-sport athletes. Access for disabled users is good, with a gently shelving beach and easy parking available.
How does the Facility fit into the surroundings?
The building has been designed to be sensitive to the landscape, minimizing visual and structural concerns in the sensitive lakeshore environment. The footprint is 430sqm with a maximum height of 5m above the QLDC flood safety level. The cladding materials are cedar and Corten, ensuring empathy with Wanaka's well-known autumn colours.
What is the Corten material that is proposed for some of the cladding?
Corten is an alloy of steel which weathers to give an adherent protective layer of rust. Produced as 12 - 15 mm thick sheets for cladding, the material is used as a 'rain screen' cladding, and, once the patina of orange to brown rust forms, needs no further maintenance.
Why not build the Facility on the Showgrounds?
This can best be answered by comparing kayaking / rowing with yachting. It's just not practical to store yachts across a busy road away from the lake ...... same with rowing / kayaking. This is especially true for rowing training before work or school, which is when the lake is at its calmest but also when time is limited; the extra 10 to 15 minutes at the start and end of the session added by transporting rescue boats, skiffs, blades, trestles etc to and from the lake means 20 minutes to half an hour less training per session. Having the equipment near the lakeshore means rowers can get on and off the lake in about 5 minutes; a similar situation applies to multi-sport athletes at whatever time of day they train.
