Two groups appointed to coordinate memorial hall, Naish Park projects

MEMBERS of newly formed ‘‘coordinating groups’’ for two of Balclutha’s biggest community projects have been endorsed by the Clutha District Council.

The council recently endorsed the membership of the groups for projects to improve and revamp the Balclutha War Memorial Hall and Naish Park.

The two projects form a major part of the ‘‘Our Place Balclutha Community Plans’’, recently adopted by the council.

The groups are to consider suggestions of changes and improvements and come up with proposals and related businesses cases that affect rates as little as possible.

Former Christchurch builder Kevin Barron, who has recently returned to live in the district, was endorsed as the leader of the Balclutha War Memorial Hall project, which aims to rejuvenate the facility and investigate the creation of a community hub.

Mr Barron’s building company built the first commercial building in Christchurch’s CBD after the Canterbury earthquakes.

It was this experience, along with plans to return to live in Balclutha, which led him to volunteer to be part of the project, the council heard.

Selfemployed Balclutha businessman Jared McPhee was endorsed as the leader of the Naish Park project.

Council chief executive Steve Hill said it would be up to the groups to decide the next stage of the projects.

There would be ‘‘trigger points’’ where the groups would have to come back to the council for approval; for example, once the groups had completed a business case, planned to transfer assets or if they wanted to spend over any existing budgets the council already had in place.

‘‘The two groups will now work to establish its structure and start the next steps to get these projects off the ground.’’

The four Balcluthaward councillors will also play a role in these projects.

Mr Hill said neither project was short term.

‘‘Equally, the groups are aware of wanting to make good progress and the project scopes require any ‘easy wins’ to be considered a priority.’’

Operating budgets were in place for both assets but no specific budgets existed for co ordinating groups. Thirdparty funding will be an important source.

The groups were formed after a series of public meetings and

Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan said the council wanted to thank all those who volunteered to be part of this ‘‘exciting chapter’’.

People could still become involved in the projects by contacting Alana King at the council.