Progress has been made on Wānaka’s Youth and Community Centre with appointment of a new facility manager and a $400,000 grant from the Central Lakes Trust for the centre’s construction and establishment.

The $4.15M project to repurpose the former Mitre 10 building into a new community venue was raised at yesterday’s (Thursday August 4) final Wānaka Community Board meeting by chair Barry Bruce.

He said the progress “was good to see” and he expected details of the design and fit-out would be released for public viewing next month.

“There are a lot of interested groups looking to make a home there.”

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) communication coordinator Catherine Nind confirmed 24 expressions of interest were received last month from community groups wanting to use the new facility, in addition to key tenants Kahu Youth and Aspiring Gymsports.

The interested parties represented netball, basketball, cricket, martial arts, dance, training providers, bridge, skate and a range of smaller community groups, she said, and work is underway to evaluate the potential mix of users.

Catherine also confirmed a new facility coordinator, Gabriela Flessak, has been employed since July to oversee the development and fitout of the centre and to work with potential users. 

“It is exciting to be involved in the early stages of the project, being able to contribute to the fit-out design plans and establishment of the centre,” Gabriela said.

“I look forward to connecting with the community groups and sports clubs in the coming months and supporting the development of this project.”

Volunteers deconstruct the wooden storage system in the former Mitre 10 building in May  2021. PHOTO: Supplied

Gabriela has more than 10 years of sport and recreation sector experience with significant experience managing facilities. She recently managed the Adams Centre for High Performance in Mount Maunganui and has been an Upper Clutha resident for 17 months.

Her role will be to oversee the day-to-day operations of the facility, working with different stakeholders who wish to utilise the building. An annual budget of just under $1M has been allocated for the facility’s operations.  

Gabriela said the new facility will complement the Wānaka Recreation Centre (WRC) by offering additional bookable courts and activity space, as well as supporting a range of local community-based groups.

 “[It] will help alleviate current pressures in the demand for indoor space from local sports clubs, community groups and recreation users,” she said. 

Gabriela will be based at the WRC before moving into the completed Wānaka Youth & Community Centre on Plantation Road.

As of yesterday, council staff were unable to provide a timeline of when the fit-out will start or when the facility would be operational but said the procurement processes are being worked through.

QLDC sport and recreation manager Simon Battrick had indicated the Youth & Community Centre name was a ‘working title’ only but this week he said, once the project has progressed further, council “would like to ask the community what they would like to name it, in conjunction with the local iwi”.