8 February, 2008

Xena gives way to Panorama

This one of the battles that Xena lost.

Xena Lake in Western Heights, Waitakere City, is no more.

It is now Lake Panorama following a unanimous decision by the Henderson Community Board last night.

Xena Park, however, remains.

When the lake and reserve were created as part of a housing development, intending purchasers believed that the lake would be called Lake Panorama, but unbeknown to many, the council adopted the name Xena Lake.

This only became apparent to them when signs were erected last year with the name Xena Lake on them.

Having purchased in the expectation of living beside Lake Panorama, residents were opposed to the Xena name and approached the council to adopt Lake Panorama instead.

Both the Xena and Panorama names met the council’s criteria as place names and the council wished to meet the residents expectations, while retaining a tie to the legendary warrior princess, whose mythical exploits were filmed in the area.

The matter became the Henderson Community Board’s responsibility after the ward boundary change last year, and board members led by chairman Elizabeth Grimmer, held discussions with residents to seek a resolution

The result was a compromise suggested by the residents, under which the lake would be re-named Lake Panorama and the reserve would remain Xena Park.

The park has an adventure playground with a Xena theme.

“I am pleased that the Henderson Community Board has been able to bring the matter to a resolution so quickly after it became our responsibility,” says Mrs Grimmer.

***ENDS***

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