Popular alpine town looks at new attractions

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

The alpine resort of Hanmer Springs is looking to add a museum and sporting development to its growing list of attractions.

The proposal could see the development of a sports field and pavilion on the former Queen Mary Hospital site.

Plans to turn the Soldiers' Block on the site into a museum are also progressing.

"It will be absolutely brilliant," Hanmer Springs-based councillor Tom Davies said.

"It will be a real point of interest that shows Hanmer means business, and it will attract huge numbers."

The southern part of the former hospital site, and the existing Hanmer Springs Sports Reserve are earmarked for residential and commercial development.

Aimed at putting the town on the map, the Hurunui District Council will consult on the proposal as part of its 2024-34 long-term plan.

It has signed an agreement with Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura (Ngāti Kurī) and Ngāi Tahu Property, after buying the southern 9 hectare site in October last year.

The council already owned the northern area where the Soldiers Block is sited.

The block was opened in 1916 to rehabilitate soldiers returning from World War 1, and was later used as a drug and alcohol treatment facility.

The council has already announced a $3.1 million project to upgrade the Soldiers’ Block, which is being funded by a Lotteries grant, $1.5m from the Government’s Better Off funding, and council funding.

Plans are being developed to turn it into a museum in partnership with Wētā Workshop, which will require a further $5m to raised.

The council has budgeted $400,000 to build the new sports pavilion, and is likely to seek external funding.
The site development will be debt funded and offset through property sales.

Davies said the trees in the former hospital grounds would create an "absolutely beautiful" backdrop for the new sports facility.

"It won’t be a first class sports venue, but if we can develop a tier two sports centre we could attract some of the bigger rugby and netball teams to come and have training camps and exhibition games."

Pre-season rugby matches between Canterbury and Tasman are already played in Hanmer Springs.

Davies said the grounds were also ideal for a concert venue.

"We generally only have one big concert a year, but if we have the facilities, there is no reason why we couldn’t have one a month."

Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura is also planning to build a wharenui on the site.

"It is really exciting Ngāti Kurī is involved in the project and intends to put a wharenui on the site," Davies said.

"It is quite incredible that there is no marae in Hurunui."

The southern part of the site contains a spiritual garden of significance to Ngāti Kuri and will be retained.

■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.