QUEENSTOWN LAKES DISTRICT COUNCIL
Date: 16 October 2003
Subject: Community centre consultation

Intensive consultation sessions this week have led to a break through in levels of mutual understanding for user groups, members of the public and design experts involved in the proposed Queenstown Community Centre.

Over 100 people had taken part in this week’s consultation, including two public sessions today (Thursday), Queenstown Lakes District Council chief executive officer Duncan Field said.

"People are realising that this process is just beginning, that the contents of the centre are subject to change and that our priority is focused entirely on providing a community facility building and an auditorium and visual arts space," Mr Field said.

The Council passed a resolution in August that did not include giving priority to a new Council office or Library.

Project architects Nicholas Stevens and Gary Lawson of Stevens Lawsons Architects Ltd, visual and performing arts experts David Hyams and Dorita Hannah have spent four intensive days talking to users groups ranging from the Citizens Advice Bureau, Toy Library and Karate Club to Showbiz Queenstown and the Wakatipu Potters Group.

"What has surprised me is the energy and vibrancy of the Queenstown visual and performing arts community," Mr Hyams said.

The week had been both enlightening and encouraging, Mr Lawson said.

"I now feel a real sense of responsibility to give these people the building they deserve," he said.

A draft report from the "design team", including recommended facilities, key design criteria and was expected to be completed in early December.

ENDS

QUEENSTOWN LAKES DISTRICT COUNCIL
Date: 11 September 2003
Subject: Experts

Earlier this month the Queenstown Lakes District Council approved recommendations to reconfirm the working party’s role to continue with consultation, develop a more detailed design and investigate feasibility. Stevens Lawson Architects was confirmed as the project architect and $250,000 was allocated to fund the cost of further investigations. In addition the Council approved the establishment of a technical team to investigate underground parking on the proposed community centre site so that data will be available in conjunction with the wider parking and transport study due in March next year. ‘The project is entering an exciting next phase as we gear up to release the schedule outlining the next round of consultation," Working Party chairman Jim Boult said.

Consultation to date suggested that more in depth information was needed, particularly in the areas of theatre and gallery design. "As we start to focus on more detail, the community is telling us that we need to be talking to experts to help us all continue on an informed basis. It’s the necessary next step in this process,"Mr Boult said. A large portion of the next round of community consultation involved seeking comment from potential user groups and the wider community. "I think the message that the concept designs we have are not in any way set in concrete is now accepted. The real work lies ahead in sourcing expert advice and then conveying that to the wider community for consideration and comment," Mr Boult said.

To assist in the process, some key local people were being sourced with specialist interests and skills to be seconded to the working party to focus on specific tasks.

"One thing that the working party recognises is that we have a wealth of talent in our own community and we plan to tap into that as we progress," Mr Boult said.

Meanwhile highly encouraging preliminary discussions had been held with various funding authorities.

ENDS

QUEENSTOWN LAKES DISTRICT COUNCIL
Date: Septmeber 2003
Subject: Community centre consultation set to continue

A draft consultation document was distributed to potential Queenstown community centre user groups this week with a view to recommence consultation next month.The future consultation schedule includes consultation with the architect and the yet to be confirmed arts and cultural adviser. It also outlines public information sessions."We are asking for feedback from the user groups on the consultation document before we move ahead," community centre working party chairman Jim Boult said.Once the document was confirmed a round of meetings would be scheduled not only with local but national user groups including the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and New Zealand Ballet.

Some of the key information to be further explored with user groups included:

* In depth space and storage requirements and current activities.
* Expected future needs.
* Physical relationship with other groups and facilities
* Group funding sources, if any.

The consultation document also included the establishment of a dedicated community centre website, featuring background and current information and public comment. "The website will be a helpful tool not only for our resident community but for out of town ratepayers to keep track of the proposed project," Mr Boult said. Work was already underway on the website, which he hoped would be running next month.

The culmination of the consultation, which would take the working party through until November or December, would be the preparation of a draft report from the design team recommending facility mix, design criteria and timing.

The report would then be subject to further community consultation before being considered by the Council.

ENDS