The Cromwell Community Board (CCB) last week approved of a new social and sporting activity for Anderson Park and surrounds.
Disc Golf is being brought to our area by Connect Cromwell, a government-funded, community-led Development Group, that will source funds for the project. Once completed, the nine ‘hole’ course will be gifted to the community and maintained by the Central Otago District Council.
The nine-hole version will cost between 10 and 20 thousand dollars, depending on the level of design sophistication.
Connect Cromwell facilitator Georgie Affleck told the CCB that considerable research had been done into the sport, as well as a local survey in which the majority of respondents indicated that they would either ‘like to’ or ‘maybe like to’ try the sport.
She acknowledged that there could be impacts on other park users and trees but believed that this would be minimal as an experienced course designer had been sourced to ensure safe flight paths.
The main aim was to create a way for people to connect with friends and neighbours and enjoy Cromwell’s outdoor spaces though a wider range of activities.
The CCB will ensure that park tenants, adjacent residents and the public have the opportunity to discuss the new sport with council prior to any installation.
In other CCB matters, the community’s message re the replacement of the Memorial Hall is loud and clear ‘get on with it’. After 20 years of indecision, the design and build stage is finally here, and a July 2022 deadline has been set for contraction to start on the $31.5m project, located off Melmore Terrace.
A four-strong advisory group comprises of CODC’s property and facilities manager, Garreth Robinson, council’s Executive Manager for planning and environment, Louise van de Voort, Board Chair Anna Harrison and Cr Nigel McKinlay.
Four Cromwell organisations – the Cromwell Town and Country Club, Cromwell Cultural Centre Trust, Fine Thyme Theatre Company and Cromwell Museum were initially invited to form a second ‘external stakeholders’ group’, and the Cromwell RSA has now been added to this group. Another major development for Cromwell is now underway with a similar planning process. The $42m redevelopment of the Cromwell Mall will be progressed by Louise van de Voort and Garreth Robinson, this time joined by board member Werner Murray. The CODC will add a district councillor to complete this advisory group, while an existing Mall Upgrade Group consisting of business owners will perform the external stakeholder role.
