Paetara Aspiring Central was a hub of activity yesterday (Sunday October 1) - an auspicious first official day for Wānaka’s new hub of sport and recreation.

The former Mitre 10 building has been transformed into the new facility over the past year and now features two multi-use indoor courts, a separate studio that could be used for dance, yoga and fitness classes, and dedicated areas for Kahu Youth and Aspiring Gymsports. 

Queenstown Lakes district mayor Glyn Lewers not only cut the ribbon at 11.30am for the official opening of the new hub, he went on to test out some of the equipment, including a trampoline in the Aspiring Gymsports zone.

The ribbon cutting event yesterday morning. PHOTO: Supplied

Members of the community who attended the opening day were able to explore the courts and different spaces, as well as take part in skating, yoga, and basketball sessions and other activities.

“We have already been using this facility for the last few weeks and they absolutely love it,” Allie Monks, the mother of twins aged two and a half years old, told the Wānaka App.

“It gives the girls so much freedom to run around and learn new skills.” 

'Good sport': Mayor Glyn Lewers tried out the equipment at the opening VIDEO: Wānaka App

Te Kura o Tititea Mt Aspiring College Year 11 student Lachlan Hay, who has been a gymnast for 11 years (and an Auckland champion on the rings), said the new facility means a lot.

“I get to train properly and it brings everyone else joy, so really good,” he said.

Deputy mayor Quentin Smith said Wānaka is seeing a huge amount of growth and “this really is an indication of what we need to support our community for sport and recreation”.

“It really is going to be a hub of activity for healthy sport and recreation,” he said.

The new facility “means a lot” to gymnast Lachlan Hay. PHOTO: Wānaka App

“It started as an idea asking ‘why don’t we use this for this purpose’ and the ability to look into that, find some money, make a case for it [has] happened quite efficiently.”

A community-led proposal to buy or lease the building to repurpose it as a community centre was originally pitched to the previous community board in February 2021 and in April 2022 a ten-year lease for the building was approved. 

Read more: ‘Aspirational theme’ to new name for community facility

The Aspiring Gymsports area. PHOTO: Wānaka App

Queenstown Lakes District Council is currently building a programme and sport schedule for Paetara, which will soon be available on the council website.