20 May 2004

New long-term concept plan for QEII Park

Christchurch City Council is developing a new long-term concept plan for QEII Park to help guide future development of the park. The plan will refer to all of the park, including the leisure centre, stadium, fields and open space.

It will also assist the Council’s decision-making over proposals it receives from time to time on the park.

The community will be asked for their views on the future of QEII Park in a two-step consultation process. A series of focus groups will be held next month to identify development issues and ideas for the park. The second step (in September) will involve a wider public consultation on the ideas that have been developed.

The new long-term concept plan for QEII Park aims to:

-Identify current and future leisure demands for sport and recreation users, the local community and the general public.

-Identify generally how much of QEII Park, and specifically what areas, should be retained as open space, and how this can best be used.

-Improve vehicle and pedestrian access and flow throughout the park

-Include reference to the siting of sports related accommodation within the park

Christchurch City Council’s leisure planning projects officer, Paul Cottam, said that once the long-term concept plan for QEII Park has been adopted by the Council, it will be easier to make decisions on how to develop the park over time to meet the recreation needs of Christchurch.

“For example, the Council received a proposal for on-site accommodation to be built in the park. Once we have a long-term plan for the park, a decision can be made on how best these types of proposals fit within the plan’s vision”, said Mr Cottam.

Current developments that have already been approved in principle, such as the new ice arena, would not be affected.

ENDS

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