Upgrade input time short
CLUTHA residents have less than a week to submit their views on several proposals aimed at improving the Balclutha area, including a $5.4 million overhaul of the War Memorial Hall.
The Clutha District Council has engaged in a lengthy consultation period as part of its community plans for Balclutha, Waihola and Milton.
Balclutha and its amenities is the first town targeted in the ‘‘Our Place’’ consultation documents.
Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan said there were plenty of good ideas from the public so far.
The council had outlined four main topics in the plans — walking and cycling linkages, the town entrance, parks and reserves and a potential overhaul of the War Memorial Hall.
One option for the hall is to proceed with upgrades so it meets compliance and seismic strengthening standards — estimated to cost $1.9 million signalled in the council’s longterm plan.
A more detailed option is to convert the hall into a multipurpose community and visitor hub.
The planning documents state the hall no longer meets the needs of ‘‘21st century community life’’.
A transformed hall could incorporate an auditorium, exhibition space alongside the visitor iSite and council service centre.
The council said the current hall was too large for most events.
A flexible space able to seat between 300 to 400 people would work instead.
A full feasibility study would need to be completed before taking the project to the next stage, but a preliminary estimate put the cost of an overhaul at $5.4 million.
The council could use the $1.9 million already budgeted for an upgrade to the hall to give the community ‘‘more practical, userfriendly building’’ fit for future purpose.
Mr Cadogan said the council did not have a preference for any of the options which were there to ‘‘stimulate discussion and get people thinking’’.
He wanted feedback on the town as a whole and did not want to focus on individual projects.
‘‘We’re trying to get a sustainable coordinated plan right across the town to address as many of the needs as we can.’’
He wanted to know how to improve the quality of life for the younger population and stimulate population growth.
‘‘If you ask an old person what a young person wants, they’ll get it wrong.’’
Public consultation and feedback on the proposal close next Monday.