Wānaka’s new $4.15M sports and community hub, based at the former Mitre 10 building in Anderson Heights, is “on track” but unlikely to be completed before the middle of next year.

“We expect to have the building fully operational by next winter,” Queenstown Lakes District Council media advisor Sam White said.

“An application for building consent will be submitted once the detailed design phase is completed. We expect this to occur at the end of this month. Fit-out will begin once consent is issued and we’ve selected a construction partner,“ he said.

While no official leases or rental agreements have been signed, council has been liaising with the 24 clubs and groups which expressed an interest in using the building, Sam said.

Those include Kahu Youth and Aspiring Gymsports which will be anchor tenants in the building with dedicated spaces already assigned.

Kahu Youth is looking forward to being able to use a portion of the store’s outdoor garden area when the centre becomes operational next year.

Kahu Youth Trust’ operations director Anna Sutherland said the group has been applying for funding to help pay for the fit-out which will incorporate new appliances together with a relocation of some of their current recreational items, such as the pool and air-hockey tables.

“We’ll ask our youth what they would like and let [them] decide what it’s going to look like,” she said. 

The 274m2 space Kahu Youth has been allocated is considerably larger than their current premises on Russell Street and will include a portion of the former Mitre 10’s outdoor garden centre, she said.

The extra capacity “is really exciting for us”, Anna said, and the outdoor area will make a great “chill space”.

She said council had advised them of the potential occupation date mid next year which shouldn’t be a problem with their current lease.

“Our landlord is just lovely; he’s been so supportive,” she said, adding he’s been working with them to make an “easy transition” to the new premises.

Aspiring Gymsports, however, has struggled with its lease arrangements and the lengthy wait for the new building to be ready for occupation but council has been assisting the club, Sam said.

Read more: Gymsports club rises to the challenges

“Council has been supporting Aspiring Gymsports in its current operations and future planning for some time, and is fully aware of the pressure on facility space that the club faces along with several other sport and recreation groups,” he said. 

“We’re investigating opportunities for such groups to gain access to a limited, clearly defined space in the current building ahead of completion.”

The community’s desire to see the vacated Mitre 10 store repurposed for sports and community groups was raised in 2020 and in February 2021 the concept was pitched to the Wānaka Community Board by Sport Otago community sport advisor Tiny Carruthers, Aspiring Gymsports’ Colleen Nisbet and Wānaka Watersport Facility Trust chair Michael Sidey.

The WCB recommended it to the council and in June 2021 councillors approved the plan to lease the building and assigned funding. The 10-year lease agreement was signed in April 2022, a detailed fitout plan was created with funding expanded to $4.15M, and a new staff member was employed in July to oversee the building’s development and fitout and to work with potential users.

PHOTOS: Wānaka App