Camp residents get reprieve
Residents of South Brighton Holiday Park look set to keep their homes as a deal is brokered to secure the campground’s future.
Twenty permanent residents have lived in uncertainty for years since the park suffered extensive damage in the Canterbury quakes.
The Christchurch City Council estimated repair costs at almost $3 million and decided in 2013 to close the park. It reversed its decision following a public uproar, but the residents have made do since then with temporary toilet and kitchen facilities and no guarantee they could stay.
The council is now in talks with new lessees for the park, which would see it stay open.
Resident Deidre McGowan posted the good news on the South Brighton Holiday Park Residents and Supporters public Facebook page on Sunday. ‘‘Well finally we can confirm that this gem of a camp site/holiday park is here to stay,’’ she said.
In a statement, the council said the matter had been discussed in committee at its March 9 meeting. Councillors resolved to release the report ‘‘upon lease commencement’’. It expected this to be in early May, but could not release any information about any new lessee until then.
One resident, who asked not to be named, was ‘‘absolutely thrilled’’ the park’s long-term future was secure. ‘‘All of the campaigns, petitions and meetings have all paid off and we’ve done it.’’ She said there had been an enormous wave of support for the park from the New Brighton community, which reflected the east Christchurch spirit.
Park residents had gathered nearly 7000 signatures in 2015 for a petition demanding it stay open.
The longest-standing permanent resident, 84-year-old Malcolm Farrell, said: ‘‘I wasn’t only fighting it for us, I was fighting it for Brighton. I love it here – it’s home. There’s a great atmosphere and everyone helps out one another when they need it. I just want to live the rest of my life here quietly.’’
Farrell used to holiday at the park with his children and moved there permanently 20 years ago after his wife developed dementia.