Update - September 2014

The Wanaka Watersports Facility Trust has had a relaxing couple of months since the hearing in July, and is looking forward to the release of the final Wanaka Lakefront Reserves Management Plan at the October 7th Wanaka Community Board meeting. We are refreshed, energised and ready for the next stage of the project, which hopefully will be putting together a Resource Consent application for the building itself.

Here is a brief re-cap of what has happened over the last year:-

Aug '13 Alistair Madill working on concept for watersports facility
Sept     Steering group expressed interest in being included in review of Wanaka Lakefront Reserves Management Plan (WLRMP)
Oct       Arborist report, survey of site
            Michael Sidey contacting people for endorsements
            Michael contacted Ian Taylor of ARL re animation
            Local body elections taking place
Nov      Kevin Gingell-Kent joined steering group, representing Wanaka Lake Swimmers
            WLRMP review postponed until new Council and Community Board members have been briefed
            Mick Hollyer working on Deed for trust, and applying for charitable status
Dec      Wanaka Watersports Facility Trust formed, granted charitable trust status by IRD
Feb '14 Nic Blennerhassett doing 3D computer model of building for use by ARL
            Hydrology report
            Michael and Nic meet Calum MacLeod, new QLDC Councillor, to discuss proposal
            Nic meets Rachel Brown, Chair of WCB, to discuss proposal
            Richard Sidey setting up website
            Landscape plan for site
Mar      Draft WLRMP released at WCB meeting on 11 March, with one month submission period - subsequently increased to two months
            Andrea Murray joined steering committee, representing multi-sport and tri-athletes
            John Charrington joined steering committee, replacing Marg Galloway as Wanaka Rowing Club representative
            Leigh Overton joined steering committee
            Trust engaged Scope Media for PR work
Apr       Trust engaged Graeme Todd as lawyer
            Trust engaged Duncan White of Paterson Pitts Group as planner
            Trust working on submission, PR campaign
May      ARL animation produced, put on website along with concept plans, arborist and hydrology reports, landscape plan, FAQs
            Trust members visiting various community groups to promote the project, working on prompt documents to assist supporters with submitting on the draft WLRMP
            Launch party for Founders Club held on 14th May, donations from new members begin to come in
June     Submission period closes on 6th June, Trust analyses submissions and finds:-
·        252    in support
·        50     in opposition
·        10     uncertain/unclear
·        50     not related
            WWFT Board of Trustees formed
July      Hearing held on 1st and 2nd July, good number of speakers both for and against, supporters acquit themselves well, covering a wide range of issues
            Graeme Todd offers $20,000 worth of pro bono work over the next two years, to get Trust through next stage
            Founders Club donations reach $25,000
Sept     Michael shows steering committee plans for OUSA aquatic centre, with rowing tank, Alistair adds tank to concept plans - will allow access for disabled users and useful for training when conditions on lake unfavourable
Oct       WLRMP will be presented at WCB meeting on 7 Oct, for approval or rejection
Nov ?   WLRMP to be presented at full Council meeting, for adoption (or refusal to adopt, but this is unlikely if WCB has given its approval)