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1 August 2007: Te Ahu Centre - Site options narrowed
A workshop involving representatives from community organisations,
the Te Ahu Charitable Trust and the Far North District Council has
narrowed down site options for the proposed development of a multi-facet
community centre at Kaitaia.
The workshop has recommended to the Trust that further investigations
into a site for the multi-million-dollar project be concentrated
on either the council service centre and carpark site on the corner
of Redan Road, or land adjacent to the Far North Community Centre
known as the Community Centre option.
Eliminated from contention has been Jaycee Park where the current
museum and visitor information centre now stand.
The workshop was arranged by the Trust to establish the community's
preference for the new cultural and heritage centre which will include
an arts centre, library, museum, I-Site, cultural centre, council
service centre and café.
Trust chairman Ian Bamber says "the main reason the workshop
decided against Jaycee Park was to preserve the green belt and open
public spaces in the centre of town and retain options for the future
enhancement of the park area.
"Constructive debate took place around the many issues related
to the three potential sites. Agreement was reached on the two remaining
options after robust discussion on elements such as the flood risk,
site development costs, land ownership and titles, access and pedestrian
flows and opportunities for expansion in the future.
"It is now up to the trustees to gather more information and
analyse the options before making a firm decision on the site on
which construction will proceed," Mr Bamber says.
"I'm very pleased with the feedback from the organisations
represented at the workshop, although the trustees would have liked
to have seen even more groups take up the invitation to participate.
Site selection is a critical decision and it must be right for our
community," he says.
A final decision on site will be made as soon as all relevant technical
information is available.
Up-to-date information indicating the progress of the project may
be accessed by logging on to the Te Ahu Charitable Trust website
at www.teahu.org.nz.
Further inquiries should be directed to:-
Phil Cross
Publicity Convenor
Te Ahu Charitable Trust
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