The Wanaka Community Board (WCB) is hosting another public drop-in session today (Wednesday August 5) at the Wanaka Recreation Centre in Three Parks.

WCB chair Barry Bruce said 12 locals came to last month’s drop-in session, the first for this community board, “with a whole host of things they wanted to talk about.” 

Four local elected members attended to field the questions last month and the issues raised ranged from roading infrastructure and tiny houses through to pest plant and rabbit eradication.

Barry encouraged local residents to come to the drop in sessions even if they didn’t have an issue to discuss but just wanted to share their thoughts on future development or learn about proposals affecting the community.

For instance, Barry said, he had heard talk of repurposing the Mitre 10 building at Anderson Heights when it becomes vacant for community use. 

He said he was aware of a number of local sports and recreation clubs and groups seeking a new permanent home but no-one had approached the WCB for help.

“I’ve always thought it [the Mitre 10 building] would make a great indoor sports centre but we’ve had no requests or approaches from any community groups,” he said.

The building’s co-owner Martin Dippie said he has heard whispers of community use but “no-one has approached me yet” about the building. 

He said he has no firm plans for the 4000m2 building beyond its current use. It’s located on a large section with developed public parking in a mixed use zone and could be repurposed in a number of ways.

Martin believed the site’s proximity to town suggested it would be ideal for high-density residential accommodation, like apartments, but that would require rezoning. 

It’s a big building, strongly designed but not cheap to run, he said. He could imagine it being used by community groups “but I don’t know how they would fund it”.

Barry said: “I think it’s a one-of [a kind] opportunity, close to the schools and town and in a pretty good spot. Certainly it’s a jolly good shell to start with and worth investigating.”

The monthly drop-in sessions’ purpose is to give local residents a regular opportunity to connect with the board and share issues and initiatives in the community. 

It also enables WCB members to shed light on current Queenstown Lakes District Council projects and initiatives and any other processes, services and decisions being considered or made.

The WCB drop-in session at the Wanaka Recreation Centre begins at 12:00 noon today and runs for about an hour.

PHOTO: Wanaka App