Franklin Local Board gives Wero support
Development of Wero, a white water stadium proposed for Manukau looks a little bit closer with Franklin Local Board voting to support Regional Facilities Auckland (RFA) funding proposal.
At the Local Board meeting on Tuesday February 26 members discussed the RFA recommendation to provide net sale proceeds from the adjoining land sale to Counties Manukau Pacific Trust (CMPT) at Manukau to develop Stage Two of the Telstra Clear Pacific Events Centre.
The
innovative project will be unique in New Zealand and aligns
with the strategic directives in the Auckland Plan and will
deliver tangible outcomes related to the Southern
Initiative.
Schools, sports people, community groups,
weekend warriors, businesses and emergency services will all
have access to the white water stadium, which promises to be
a draw-card to Auckland.
Franklin joins supportive
motions passed by Otara-Papatoetoe and Mangere-Otahuhu Local
Boards.
Chairman of CMPT, Sir Noel Robinson says; “It’s fantastic to receive formal support from local boards where their communities will directly benefit from Wero.
“Of course, we’re disappointed Howick Local Board passed a resolution not to support Wero before a presentation about the project was given,” says Sir Noel.
“Their decision is a bitter pill to swallow for the region especially when funds from the land being sold at Manukau may not be used to in the area and could go to other RFA projects in other parts of Auckland.”
Manurewa and Papakura Local Boards have reserved their decision-making until they analyse public opinion from submissions to the Auckland Council Annual Plan.
“Numerous groups and individuals have told us they have sent positive submissions to Auckland Council voicing how Wero will be a dynamic addition for Aucklanders as well as people throughout New Zealand.”
Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development’s (ATEED) released a favourable business review in November, 2012.
RFA and CMPT have agreed to
develop Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that sets About
Wero
out
funding conditions and limits RFA and the council’s
exposure to unnecessary risk.
The white water stadium is the stage two
anchor attraction at TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre and
it will consist of a function centre and two water courses.
River Rush is a grade four white water rafting course
for recreational rafters and kayakers that will attract
international televised events with a training base for the
Olympic teams.
Tamariki River is a grade one water
course for school group use for an introduction to rafting
and kayaking.
It will also be used by not for profit
groups for mentoring programmes teaching water safety and
learning to take risks in a controlled environment is key
for youth development.
It will also provide training
facilities for the emergency services for frontline moving
water training.
Stage three includes Body Odyssey
exhibition, art gallery and café, and office plus classroom
spaces.
Body Odyssey was an interactive exhibition of the
human body developed by Te Papa and the Children’s Museum
of Manhattan hosted at TelstraClear Pacific in 2005.
The
exhibition was enjoyed by over 26,000 visitors and will be a
permanent exhibition in Wero.
With the highest diabetes
rates in the world, Body Odyssey will help educate our youth
on the importance of making healthier choices.
An art
gallery and café will be added to provide an outlet for
talented New Zealand artists giving tourists and locals
alike the chance to purchase original artworks.
Office
and classroom spaces will also be added on the second floor
of the building. This will provide meeting and workshop
spaces with a wonderful view of River Rush and Tamariki
River.
Stage four, The Arrival will be an interactive
high tech visual display telling the Polynesian story of
journey, following the DNA trail from Asia finally arriving
on the shores of Aotearoa.
A descendant of Hape will
guide visitors through the tunnel sharing his story of
journey on the stingray named Kaiwhare to our
harbour.
The tunnel will end at a contemporary Fale where
guests will enjoy food of the journey along with cultural
group performances drawing on the many talents from within
our communities.
The Arrival will be used during the day
by school students learning the stories and history of our
people.
Stage five, the Outreach Gallery and artist in
residence studio will house touring exhibitions with an
artist in residence program for school groups from all over
the Auckland region.
For more information
contact: