Ideas are brewing for a 20 hectare site which is destined to become a multi-use green space for the community to enjoy.

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is developing a masterplan to redevelop 101 Ballantyne Road - the site of the former oxidation ponds that were decommissioned in 2009 - for ongoing community use. 

Sports and open space facilities are envisioned for the substantial site, which QLDC says could support the needs of the Upper Clutha community over the next 20 years and beyond.

“This is an important opportunity for sports clubs, groups and the community at large to put forward early ideas on what’s most needed on the Ballantyne Road site and how it will complement existing facilities across the road at Wānaka Recreation Centre,” QLDC sport and recreation manager Simon Battrick said. 

“Connecting all the ideas of what the community wants on the site is the best part of the masterplan process and provides for what we need now, and into the future.” 

Two community pop-up sessions are taking place next weekend where people can head along and chat to the project team.

They will take place between 10am and 1pm next Saturday (July 2) at Wānaka Recreation Centre and next Sunday (July 3) at New World Three Parks.

Residents can also find more information and submit ideas here.

QLDC has contracted Boffa Miskell to help draft the masterplan, and Boffa Miskell landscape architect Megan Ash said she was looking forward to working with the community to gather feedback.

“Our goal is to develop a masterplan that can improve the site and enable it to grow with the community, providing further opportunities for sport, recreation and other open space activities in the Upper Clutha for future years,” she said.

The site (located opposite Frederick Street) was rezoned in 2021.

Sport Otago and other groups have long been proponents of transforming the site into a sports green.

Simon said it was important the community now share with council how they want to see the site used to help inform the masterplan. 

“Our vision is to get more people, more active, more often and the masterplan will lay the best possible foundation for this to happen.”

PHOTO: Supplied