It is full steam ahead for the proposed developments at Karapiro Domain, after all three resource consents were granted last week.
The consents were granted by Waipa District Council on the recommendation of an independent commissioner who oversaw the hearings in April.
WDC Karapiro Development Project Manager Iain Paterson, is delighted that all the projects can now get underway.
“The entire project team, including council staff and consultants, we are just so pleased, as we have been working behind the scenes towards this day for over 18 months now. Lodging all three consents together was a huge job, but now they have been granted, subject to appeals, we can really get going with making Karapiro Domain and its facilities truly world class”.
The first consent has been granted to Waipa District Council to construct and operate additional accommodation, amenity and administration buildings. The largest project will be the reconstruction of the existing Water Sports Complex, (built by volunteers for the Rowing World Championships in 1978) into a community centre and race administration centre for the various events that are held at the Domain.
It will include large function rooms, a cultural room, revamped entrance areas, toilet and kitchen facilities and a large open multipurpose space. Construction of this facility is planned for 2009.
Two new toilet blocks to replace some of the existing facilities are being designed, and construction of these facilities is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Other facilities planned for the Domain include relocation of Council’s maintenance shed, a new campground site office and cafe, additional chalets with lounge/dining facilities, and an extension to the Rob Waddell lodge.
“Council has allocated a budget of $9.4 million towards these developments, with half of the funding to come from external sources. We have already raised over one million dollars thanks to generous grants from the Lotteries Commission, Trust Waikato, WEL Energy Trust and Waikato Foundation Trust”. said Mr Paterson.
A consent was also granted to Rowing New Zealand for the construction and operation of a High Performance Centre and associated facilities. This development will be located to the south of the embankment area, with construction due to start in late June, to be completed by March 2009. Athletes involved in the rowing high performance programme will train out of this facility.
The last consent was granted to Karapiro 2010 Ltd for the land based activities associated with the staging of the 2010 World Rowing Championships. This allows for erection of temporary facilities such as grand stands, and establishment of temporary hospitality areas and facilities to service athletes and spectators at the event.
All three resource consent applications were lodged in January of this year, which was followed by a submission period in February. Hearings were held at the end of April, and the consents were granted at the end of May. Submitters have three weeks in which to lodge an appeal.
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