Terminal choice for councillors

The choice for New Plymouth’s new airport terminal could come down to a $13 million functional building or an ‘‘iconic’’ design worth up to $22.2m.

The New Plymouth District Council has revealed its two top options for expanding the airport terminal, which will be voted on at today’s full council meeting.

With an almost 10 per cent increase in passenger numbers through the airport in the last year, and the arrival of Jetstar services, council has little option but to expand the terminal.

The project team was considering four options, including a $11m upgrade to the current terminal building, but the report recommends council chooses between one of two options to build a completely new facility.

One recommended option is the ‘‘new iconic build’’ that includes cultural, narrative and historic elements and was designed by New Plymouth firm Jackson Architects. It is estimated it will cost between $16.4m and $22.2m.

The other recommended option is for a ‘‘new functional build’’. It would cost somewhere between $12.9m and $17.5m and would be unlikely to include some of the finer design elements.

Veteran New Plymouth architect Terry Boon congratulated the council for looking at the merits of more than one design.

However, he was wary of the word ‘‘iconic’’ when it came to architecture.

‘‘What does the word iconic mean?’’ he asked. ‘‘As somebody who flies a lot nationally and internationally, the thing about any airport is that it needs to be functional.’’

Boon said signage and carparking should be a higher priority than ‘‘flash stuff’’ at an airport and that there could be a compromise between the two designs that might cost less.

New Plymouth Airport manager Wayne Wootton said the option for a new build would be quicker and more convenient than redeveloping and enlarging the existing terminal as was originally mooted.

‘‘There are other benefits that are worth considering too,’’ he said. ‘‘We’d be able to establish an architecturally iconic design that integrates the local cultural narrative.

‘‘We also wouldn’t be con- strained by the shape and size, or the earthquake performance, of the existing building and we’d be able to make the best use of the terminal’s space for commercial leases – which will benefit the airport’s income.’’

Terry Parkes, the owner of New Plymouth boutique restaurant and hotel, The Nice Hotel, said the airport was a city’s first impression for visitors and while both buildings had merit, he was more focused on the design inside the terminal. ‘‘I think it should reflect a lot of local art and what’s happening here.’’

Parkes believed New Plymouth needed to be promoted as the ‘‘art destination of New Zealand’’ so having artworks or displays of Len Lye, Pukekura Park and local photographers and artists should be the first thing visitors saw when they got off the plane.

‘‘So you get off and you walk into a gallery of what New Plymouth is about,’’ he said.

Parkes said the new design should avoid being ‘‘too clinical and beige’’.

The Crown and NPDC have a 50-50 partnership in the redevelopment, which will be funded by loans from landing fees, car parking and commercial rentals.

The report said nothing about the possibility of a departure tax, only that all costs of the project must be recovered through airport revenue.

An informal survey of people in New Plymouth’s CBD on Monday gave mixed reviews of the two options. While some thought functional and cheaper was the best way forward, others took to the new, ‘‘iconic’’ design.

Abhi Kolla, 29, from New Plymouth said he would support the iconic option. ‘‘You’re already spending that much money so why not spend a bit more when you can get a much better look.’’

New Plymouth is not the first regional city to reveal its plans for a new airport this year. Nelson City and Tasman District council signed off on a new $32 million Nelson airport upgrade project earlier this month. 59, from New Plymouth. "I think it gives it a better look and I think it’s in keeping with a lot of the new developments around town." 26, from New Plymouth. "It does just look much better." 29, from New Plymouth. "If you do involve Maori influences it puts more life into it. It makes people more involved and makes a statement." 79, from New Plymouth. "As long as it’s going to be functional, that’s all we need." 29, from France. "Why don’t they take this one (the functional build) and take another $1 million and put in some trees and plants?"