Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) elected members were presented with a draft Sport & Recreational Facility Strategy at their meeting today, and have approved the recommendation to seek community feedback in shaping the final strategy.

The draft strategy provides a framework for planning sports and recreational facilities and consider the various perspectives from national level through to reflecting the needs at a local level.

QLDC Sport & Recreation Manager Simon Battrick confirmed the proposed framework takes into account influencing factors including population and demographic changes, behavioural and future trends, and the changing needs of participants.

“The draft strategy provides a stocktake of current facilities and analysis of national, regional and sub-regional strategies and local issues to help determine potential priorities. It’s also a tool to assist in the coordination of sport and recreation facilities to make maximum, efficient use of them, such as co-location, multi-use, hubbing of sports, shared facilities, etc,” said Mr Battrick.

The draft strategy is the result of a partnership between QLDC, Central Otago District Council, Sport New Zealand, Sport Otago, Sport Southland, Central Lakes Trust, Otago Community Trust and Community South.

“We now want to hear from all parts of the community that have an interest in the use of existing and possible future sport and recreation facilities, and need them to give us their thoughts on the draft strategy,” added Mr Battrick.

“We’ve engaged with industry specialists and stakeholders but now it’s important to understand what the community both want and need.”

Alongside this consultation, the Sport & Recreation team will be seeking further input into the future of activities and services at both Queenstown Events Centre and Wanaka Recreation. This will continue to shape a joint masterplan for both venues which has begun through engagement with industry stakeholders.

Details of the consultation will be publicised by QLDC later in February with a final report on the draft strategy to be presented to Council in June 2019.

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