The Luggate community is still waiting for its long-promised new playground equipment and tennis courts more than two years after the facilities were removed.

The issue was discussed at the Luggate Community Association AGM on Sunday (January 14), which was attended by around 25 people.

The Hopkins Street playground was closed by Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) staff in 2021 during construction of the Luggate Memorial Centre.

Around the same time, trucks involved in removing the original hall drove across the tennis courts, leading to their closure.

Just before the playground reopened in December 2022, council staff deemed two of its key attractions - the flying fox and swings - unsafe and removed them.

QLDC councillor Lyal Cocks, who attended Sunday’s AGM, said the playground should have been constructed and opened at the same time as the new hall. 

“It’s a bit of a debacle.”

Replacement equipment was ordered and it has finally arrived in Queenstown, community association chair Rod Anderson told the Wānaka App, but he said the association had not been advised when the equipment will be installed.

During the AGM there was discussion about other possible sites for the tennis courts, but most people supported the idea of keeping new recreation facilities close to the new hall, Lyal said.

One attendee suggested the idea of a multi-purpose recreation area such as the one at Wānaka’s Northlake, which includes a green space, pump track, and skateboarding facilities.

Following the meeting, QLDC spokesperson Sam White told the Wānaka App the council parks team is currently securing a contractor for the playground equipment installation. 

He said the council planned to provide a “detailed update” to residents at next week’s Luggate Community Association meeting.

This would include an update on the community tennis courts, he said.

PHOTO: Wānaka App