Board approves $650K grant for park project

THE next hurdle in the construction of the Alexandra Riverside Park project has been cleared.

In 2017, the Alexandra Riverside Park Trust was formed to develop a vision to rejuvenate lower Tarbert St in Alexandra by creating a new public space at the junction of the Clutha and Manuherikia Rivers.

The vision for the area is to integrate the two rivers and adjacent riverside with the pedestrian heart of Alexandra.

It is planned to become a space for familyfriendly recreation and community events, as well as being a destination for cyclists and walkers using the network of local trails.

The improved and revitalised space is intended to be the building block from which businesses and activities in the area can grow.

At a Vincent Community Board meeting yesterday, the board decided to grant $650,000 to the development of the Alexandra River Park and approved the draft concept proceed to detailed design.

Central Otago District Council parks and recreation manager Gordon Bailey said it was hoped detailed designs would be ready in the new year. The $650,000 had already been budgeted in the longterm plan and was coming from a loan.

The idea of the park had been supported by the public.

A survey about the park had been sent to the community and of the 86 replies, only two were against the proposal.

Mr Bailey said agreement had been reached with Land Information New Zealand about using its land in the area.

A tourism infrastructure fund grant of $325,000 from central government had been made to the project and needed to be used by the end of the year.

Consents for the project were being sought from the Otago Regional Council and the Central Otago District Council.

Vincent Community Board chairman Martin McPherson said it was an exciting project for Alexandra and deserved the board’s full support.