MEDIA RELEASE FROM WANAKA WATERSPORTS FACILITY TRUST
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2014

Trust hopes to raise $25,000 through new Watersports Facility Foundation Club

The charitable trust behind a lakefront watersports facility for the Wanaka community has established the “Foundation Club” to help the facility become a reality.

The Wanaka Watersports Facility Trust launched the “Foundation Club” at a function in Wanaka tonight. Attendees got to view the animation video of the Trust’s planned facility, created by Dunedin animation expert Ian Taylor of Animation Research Limited.

The Trust wants to build the community facility in Roys Bay Reserve and is urging locals and lake users – including multisport athletes, swimmers, rowers and recreational beach users – to submit in support of their cause to the Draft Wanaka Lakefront Reserves Management Plan. Queenstown Lakes District Council is currently seeking public consultation on the draft plan.

Trust chairman Michael Sidey says the Trust hopes to raise $25,000 through the Foundation Club, which will go towards the cost of professional services required to make the facility a reality for Wanaka. Trustees have contributed $7000 to start the fund. The overall cost of the proposed building is expected to be between $750,000 and $1 million.

“The success of the Foundation Club is important if we are to achieve our goal. The benefactors recognise how integral the Wanaka Watersports Facility is to the community and what a valuable long-term asset it will be,” Sidey says.

“Wanaka needs this facility and we need it to be lakeside. Our town has produced champion multisport athletes, Maadi Cup medallists and record-breaking lake swimmers. Right now there is no suitable lakeside facility for these people, or for recreational beach users. This facility will ultimately have a positive flow-on effect to the local economy – it supports Wanaka’s growing multisport destination industry.”

Sidey says the Trust needs as many people as possible to show their support. This can be done in two ways: By making a donation to the Foundation Club and/or by submitting to the Draft Wanaka Lakefront Reserves Management Plan. Further details can be found on the Trust’s website, www.wanakawatersports.co.nz.

Submissions close on June 6, 2014, and can be made to wanakalakefrontplan@qldc.govt.nz.

ENDS

About the Wanaka Watersports Facility Trust:

The Wanaka Watersports Facility Trust is driving a project to build a high quality, functional, low-profile lakefront facility, to support the increasing numbers involved in watersports in Wanaka. Trustees have identified Roys Bay Reserve, next to the Stoney Creek Car Park, as the preferred location. The Trust recognises that it is a privileged waterside position and is sensitive to any concerns that residents may have. The Trust believes their concept plans are consistent with the objectives of the Wanaka Lakefront Reserves Management Plan, which allows buildings on the lakefront.

For more information, please contact:

Wanaka Watersports Facility Chairman Michael Sidey: 021 228 5073

www.wanakawatersports.co.nz

MEDIA RELEASE FROM THE WANAKA WATERSPORTS FACILITY TRUST:
EMBARGOED UNTIL April 30, 2014

 Lake lovers urged to show their support for Wanaka watersports facility

A charitable trust planning a community watersports facility for Wanaka’s lakefront is calling on locals to get behind their cause.

The Wanaka Watersports Facility Trust wants lake swimmers, kayakers, rowers, triathletes, multisport athletes, stand-up paddle boarders and other non-motorised watersports enthusiasts to support the provision of a multi-purpose building in Roys Bay Reserve in the Draft Wanaka Lakefront Reserves Management Plan.

The draft plan, released in March by Queenstown Lakes District Council, is currently out for public consultation till June 6.

The Wanaka Watersports Facility Trust is an initiative led by locals involved in the Wanaka Rowing Club, Wanaka Lake Swimmers and multisport disciplines. Volunteers from each organisation are currently working on plans for a building to store equipment associated with each sport. The facility will also have space for a small gym and showers and it will be accessible by wheelchair.

The Trust hopes the building will eventually gain resource consent to be situated at the western end of Roys Bay. Sympathetically designed to fit within the environment and with minimal visual impact, it’s hoped the facility will be built in front of the two giant Sequoia giganteum trees, beside an existing community barbeque and playground area and adjacent to Stoney Creek.

The Trust wants Wanaka residents and other lake users to show their support for the concept by submitting to the Council’s Draft Wanaka Lakefront Reserves Management Plan. The draft plan document acknowledges the intentions of the Trust.

“Wanaka has an incredibly strong following of passionate and dedicated water sportspeople, but at present there is no suitable location for storing equipment associated with the local clubs and other users,” Trust chairman Michael Sidey says.

“The Trust’s planned facility is centrally-located, caters to able-bodied and disabled people and it is consistent with the objectives of the draft management plan. It provides a safe environment to carry out non-motorised watersports.”

Sidey, who is also a trustee of the Halberg Disability Sport Foundation, adds: “The Trust is doing everything possible to address the needs and concerns of everyone in the community. We urge everyone who uses the lake to submit in favour of the Trust so that we are able to proceed with our plans. It’s for the good of the whole Wanaka community.”

Submissions should be sent to Queenstown Lakes District Council.

For more information, please contact:

Wanaka Watersports Facility Trust chairman Michael Sidey: 021 228 5073
Wanaka Watersports Facility Trust trustee Nic Blennerhassett: 021 709 419
www.wanakawatersports.co.nz