Future of Kaiapoi aqua sports park to be decided

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

From local democracy reporter David Hill:

The Waimakariri District Council will vote on Tuesday, August 2, on whether to extend an agreement to develop a proposed aqua sports park in Kaiapoi.

Two options will be on the table after the Kaiapoi East Residents’ Association (KERA) presented an alternative option to the WHoW Charitable Trust’s proposed aqua sports park to a Kaiapoi-Tuahiwi Community Board meeting last week.

Community and recreation manager Chris Brown said a report had been prepared outlining the choice between extending the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the trust for a further two years or allowing KERA to develop a community space on the site.

The MOU was signed between the council and the trust in August 2020 for two years, with the option of a two year extension, to develop an aqua sports park concept in the Kaiapoi east regeneration area to the north of Kaiapoi River.

A separate three-year license to occupy agreement was signed last year allowing the trust to operate an aqua play park in Lake Courtenay, to the south of the river.

Brown said there was no reason why both proposals could not be accommodated.

KERA chairperson Michelle MacWilliams proposed turning the site into a native regenerating forest with picnic areas, walkways and areas for free activities such as petanque.

‘‘We have reached out to business owners and many of them are on their knees. We don’t want them to have to wait for another three years for something that might not happen.

‘‘We are looking at something that will bring benefit in the spring. It will bring people in and it’s free, so people can spend their money in the stores.’’

MacWilliams said the proposal had support from Ryman Healthcare and other potential funders.

The Kaiapoi-Tuahiwi Community granted KERA permission last year to establish a pocket forest around the perimeter of the site.

Brown said should councillors decide to extend the MOU with the WHoW Charitable Trust, he would reach out to KERA.

Options for how the two organisations could work together and how KERA’s ideas could be accommodated on the site and on other council reserve land would be discussed.

‘‘There are some environmental regeneration projects already under way, such as the Honda Forest, and we’ve been developing dog parks and walk ways, but there’s always room for more,’’ Brown said.

‘‘The council just needs to look at the proposals and make a decision for what’s going to be the best four economic, social, environmental and cultural wellbeing for the district and long term what’s going to be the best for Kaiapoi.’’

When asked at last week’s community board meeting whether KERA would be willing to work with the trust, MacWilliams gave an emphatic ‘‘No!’’.