Now that the QLDC have included the watersports facility in the Wanaka Lakefront Reserves Management Plan, what is the process from here?
The Trust is in the process of completing the information required to apply for both a lease and a Resource Consent for the building. This requires various specialist reports - tree analysis, a landscape assessment, goetechnical investigation, car parking, etc - and fine-tuning the architectural concept plans for lodging of the Resource Consent application.
What is the anticipated cost of the watersports facility?
We have not completed a detailed costing exercise, but we anticipate the cost being between $750,000 and $1,000,000.
How do the Trustees intend to fund the facility?
The facility will be a community asset which will be owned by the charitable trust. The Trustees will approach relevant community trusts and interested benefactors and corporates. To date, the costs incurred to achieve a successful outcome are being covered by professional firms providing pro bono or discounted services and by local individuals' donations/subscriptions to the The Foundation Club. At October 2014, funds raised amount to $25,000 (not including discounted fees for professional services).
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 to date has been 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.
Will this facility be available to all lake users, or just the rowing, kayak and swimming clubs?
The facility will not be restricted to clubs. It will be a building, owned by a Charitable Trust, available to the public on a 'user pays' basis. Changing areas, showers, toilets, lockers, boat storage and gym will be available to all lake users. Control of entry is likely to be via a rented security swipe card.
Has the location for the building been determined, and, if not, do the public have the opportunity to have input?
The Trustees have identified their preferred site, but this is not final. Other equally suitable sites have been identified; there are pros and cons for each of these, but, overall, the current site has the best mix of ease of access, ease of buildability and, most importantly, ease of use for watersports participants. The Resource Consent process will allow the public to be involved in the final decision.
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. Currently there is no adequate, centralised and suitable location for storing equipment associated with the sports' local clubs, so a team of volunteers have joined forces to make it a reality.
The Wanaka Rowing Club requires storage for rowing skiffs, which, at between 10 and 18 metres long, cannot be transported on a car roof rack. The Wanaka Lake Swimmers Club would like facilities for showering and changing after their swim, before heading on to work or home. The multi-sport athletes see the value of a single facility to store gear such as bikes and kayaks, as well as providing 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 requires storage for rowing skiffs, which, at between 10 and 18 metres long, cannot be transported on a car roof rack. The Wanaka Lake Swimmers Club would like facilities for showering and changing after their swim, before heading on to work or home. The multi-sport athletes see the value of a single facility to store gear such as bikes and kayaks, as well as providing 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.
Where will the facility be located?
The proposed building will be 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.
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.
What will the building look like?
The building has been designed to be sensitive to the landscape minimizing visual and structural concerns in the pristine lakeshore environment. The footprint will be approximately 430sqm with a maximum height of 5m above the QLDC flood safety level. The cladding materials to be used will be cedar and Corten, ensuring empathy with Wanaka's well-known autumn colours. Concept plans can be found on the 'Facility Plans' page of the website.
What facilities are incorporated within the building?
Storage areas for both kayaks and rowing skiffs; changing rooms, toilets, showers and lockers; a small gym to house ergs and exercise equipment. On the outside west wall there will be two toilets (available to the general public) and several bike racks. All facilities will be accessible by wheelchair.
Will there be parking?
The facility will be located next to the existing Stoney Creek carpark.
Will the building affect access to the beach?
There will be public walkways in front of (lakeside) and behind the building. There will be no wharves, pontoons or slipways constructed.
Will there be any social functions held in the facility?
There will be no facilities for venue hire (e.g. bar or kitchen) within the building. Prize-givings and regattas will on occasions be based there.
How much will the building cost?
We anticipate the cost of the proposed building will be between $750,000 and $1m but this is subject to the detail of the final structure. The concept plans have not yet been approved.
How will the facility be funded?
This is a community facility for the use of all Wanaka water sports participants, whether they be recreational or competitive, able-bodied or citizens with a disability. This makes the investment attractive to community funders, corporates, sports facility funders and interested individuals. The facility will be held within the Wanaka Watersports Facility Trust, and donations are therefore tax deductible.
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. For further information, please refer to the 'GeoSolve Hydrology Report' on the Consultant Reports page of the website.
Has the land use been approved?
In association with QLDC, the site has been included in the draft Wanaka Lakeshore Reserves Management Plan. We will continue to update the website as communications are received from the authorities.
What trees will be affected?
At the rear of the building, the two redwoods are protected and will be unaffected by this construction (refer to the 'Arborist’s Preliminary Report' on the Consultant Reports page of the website). The douglas firs and gum trees to the west of the building will be removed, but, as advised in the Arborist's Preliminary Report, these trees are due to be removed in the normal programme of tree culling for safety reasons. The trees on the eastern side (playground), will not be affected. The WWFT has a landscape plan (refer to the 'Landscape Plan' on the Facility Plans page of the website).
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.
