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26. 3. 97
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
12 MARCH 1997
A meeting of the Parks and Recreation Committee
was held in the Amenities Building, Spencer Park Motor Camp,
on Wednesday 12 March 1997 at 4.00 pm
PRESENT: Councillor Gordon Freeman (Chairman),
Councillors Carole Anderton, Graham Berry,
David Buist, Graham Condon, David Cox,
Ishwar Ganda and Gail Sheriff.
IN ATTENDANCE: Councillor Ron Wright.
Councillor Anderton arrived at 4.45 pm during the discussion on clause 4 and was present for all remaining clauses.
Councillor Buist retired at 6.20 pm and was not present for clauses 10, 11, 13.4, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18.
Councillor Berry retired at 6.30 pm and was present for clauses 11, 13.4, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18.
The Committee reports that:
PART A - MATTERS REQUIRING A COUNCIL DECISION
1. REDWOOD COMMUNITY CRECHE:
Variation of Lease RR 4666
| Officer responsible | Author |
| Property Manager | Bill Binns, Commercial Property Officer |
| Corporate Plan Output: To ensure all properties are fully utilised |
The purpose of this report is to obtain the Council's approval for the Redwood Community Creche to vary its existing lease to incorporate an additional area of land and to upgrade the present facility.
BACKGROUND
The Redwood Creche situated at 339 Main North Road is licensed as an all day creche and caters for 130 children. Two sessions are run per day for five days a week. Because of the increased numbers the original facility is now too small to cater for the requirements placed on it.
In the 1996/97 budget provision has been made for an upgrade to the facility ($80,000). A project team consisting of representatives from the creche, Property Unit and architect has been working on options for the upgrade. The team is now in a position with agreement reached and a design decided on for the work to proceed.
RESERVE
As the creche is situated on a local purpose reserve (Community Building) there is no need for public notification or Department of Conservation approval as the upgrade falls within the parameters for which the reserve is classified.
LEASE
Under the existing lease the area occupied by the creche is clearly defined. Therefore this report seeks the Council's approval to vary the area currently leased to include the additional area shown on the tabled plan.
CONCLUSION
Other units in the Council have been contacted for comment and no adverse comments have been received. The Parks Unit is comfortable with the proposed extension and provided it does not create a safety hazard to the adjoining pathway it is happy to endorse the proposal.
The above report was considered by the Shirley-Papanui Community Board at its meeting on 5 March 1997. The Board supported condition 1 only. The Board was unable to support condition 2 on the grounds that it would impose costs on the Creche which it would be unable to afford.
Recommendation: That the Redwood Creche's lease be varied to include the additional land, subject to the following conditions:
1. That a resource consent and building consent for the proposed new construction be obtained.
2. Any landscaping required by the Parks Manager to be installed at the Creche's cost.
PART B - ITEMS DEALT WITH BY THE COMMITTEE AND
REPORTED FOR INFORMATION ONLY
2. SUPPLEMENTARY ITEMS
The Chairman sought the approval of the Committee to introduce supplementary reports on the following topics:
1. Hagley Park
2. New Brighton Beach Landscape Concept - Budget Provision
3. Spencer Park Holiday Camp - Lease Rental (Public Excluded)
4. Malvern Park (Public Excluded)
The reasons why the items were not on the agenda for the meeting and why the matters could not wait for the next meeting were explained to the Committee.
The Committee resolved that the reports be received and considered at the present meeting.
3. DIESEL STRIP FOR CHRISTCHURCH RR 4768
Ms Ruth Dyson, Member of Parliament for Lyttelton, addressed the Committee on behalf of a group of young people interested in establishing a diesel strip in Christchurch similar to a facility established recently in Auckland. Also before the Committee was a report from Councillor Crighton endorsing the concept and recommending that the proposal be further investigated.
The Committee resolved:
1. That a full investigation be carried out on the provision of a diesel strip in Christchurch.
2. That consultation with interested Councillors, appropriate staff, the Police, local car clubs, and the young people involved be commenced.
(Councillors Cox and Sheriff requested that their votes against the above motion be recorded.)
4. Parks Maintenance RR 4731
The Parks Manager submitted a report reviewing the parks maintenance programme approved by the Council in September 1993 and outlining the tendering proposals for 1997.
The Committee resolved that, in 1997, the contract areas of Papanui and Bromley/Brighton be retendered and that one further contract area be tendered.
5. MEMORIAL PARK CEMETERY -
Overcoming Water Table Constraints RR 4739
In response to an earlier resolution of the Council, the Parks Manager reported to the March meeting of the Committee on possible measures to remedy the drainage problems at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Two solutions were proposed, namely:
The Committee unanimously agreed that, to avoid a recurrence of last year's problems with burials at this cemetery, the drainage work should be put in hand immediately and resolved that the Acting Parks Manager identify possible funding sources for this expenditure.
With regard to the second solution, the Committee resolved that the filling work be undertaken progressively to allow double depth interments to again be undertaken at the cemetery.
The Committee also resolved that the officers report back on landscaping and ashes area proposals.
Note: In response to the Committee's resolution, the Parks Manager subsequently identified a number of capital projects totalling $138,000 which will not proceed in the current year. This will provide the bulk of the funding for this work and the balance will be found from operational expenditure. However, as these projects were to have been carried forward to 1997/98, a further bid was submitted to the Strategy and Resources Annual Plan Working Party for additional capital funding of $138,000 to replace the funding for these projects.
The working party's recommendation will be reported to the Council's Annual Plan meeting on 16 April 1997.
6. NEW ZEALAND SPORTS HALL OF FAME RR 4726
The Leisure and Community Services Manager reported that the operators of New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame were considering relocating from Wellington and could be interested in establishing in Christchurch if suitable accommodation were available.
The Committee resolved that representatives of the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame be invited to the April meeting of the Parks and Recreation Committee to discuss the possible relocation of the NZSHF to Christchurch.
7. CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL
Sports Awards Proposal RR 4727
The Leisure and Community Services Manager reported, in response to an earlier request of the Committee, presenting a proposal and suggested criteria for a Christchurch City Council Sport Award for senior sports people.
The Committee did not support the concept of limiting the award to senior sports people, generally agreeing that the award should be available to sports people of all ages.
The Committee resolved that the Leisure and Community Services Manager prepare for the Committee's consideration options for recognising sporting excellence by Canterbury sports people.
8. OLD LANDFILLS RR 4679
The Parks Manager reported in response to an earlier request from Councillor Cox on the feasibility of developing certain former landfill sites into sports grounds.
The report advised that the development of sports grounds over former landfill sites has historically been found to be unsatisfactory in Christchurch, and that without exception all of the city's parks established on such sites have required major redevelopment at some stage, at considerable cost.
The Committee resolved:
1. That the information be received.
2. That in light of the adverse factors outlined in the report no action be taken regarding the establishment of sports grounds (or further sports grounds) on any of the landfill sites identified.
3. That the establishment of sports grounds on other landfill sites not be supported unless or until remedial measures have conclusively demonstrated that site stability and other essential factors are satisfactory for sports ground purposes.
4. That consideration be given to utilising suitable landfill sites for passive recreation purposes.
9. LABYRINTH PROPOSAL RR 4659
The Environmental Policy and Planning Manager reported to the 6 March meeting of the Central City Committee on the above proposal.
The Central City Committee referred the report to this Committee with the recommendation that the project be referred to the Parks Unit for investigation and report back to the Parks and Recreation Committee.
The Committee resolved that the recommendation of the Central City Committee be adopted.
10. ENGLISH PARK GRANDSTAND RR 4777
The Leisure and Community Services Manager reported, updating the Committee on the current situation relating to the proposal to demolish the English Park grandstand.
At its reconvened meeting on 5 March 1997 the Council delegated to the Parks and Recreation Committee, the power to make the final decision on the demolition of the existing grandstand and the provision of temporary covered seating for the 1997 season.
The Committee resolved:
1. That the English Park Grandstand be demolished as soon as practical.
2. That the recommendation of the Strategy and Resources Committee to provide a provisional sum of $400,000 in the draft 1997/98 Annual Plan for the construction of a new stand be supported.
3. That temporary covered seating only be provided if the construction of a new stand is deferred or excluded from the 1997/98 Annual Plan.
11. HAGLEY PARK
In response to concerns raised by Councillor Anderton in respect of a number of issues relating to Hagley Park, the Committee resolved that the Parks Manager investigate the following matters and advise the Committee, by way of a memorandum, of the outcome of the investigations:
The maintenance programme for the former Greenkeeper's residence in Hagley Oval.
The merits of transferring responsibility for the administration and maintenance of all residences on reserves land to the Property Unit.
Detail of revenue received from wood sales and the end use of the timber salvaged from trees removed from reserves land.
The relocation/removal of the stockpiles of compost, soil and salvaged wood from the Riccarton Avenue boundary of South Hagley Park.
The steps being taken to upgrade the refuse receptacles in Hagley Park.
12. ITEMS RECEIVED
The Committee received reports on the following topics:
12.1 KiwiAble Leisure Card
This is a new recreation initiative for people with disabilities to be trialed over the next six months.
12.2 John Britten Reserve - Draft Landscape Concept Plan
13. ITEMS DEFERRED
The Committee deferred consideration of the following items:
13.1 1996/97 Corporate Plan Monitoring Report, Communications and Promotions Unit
13.2 1996/97 Corporate Plan Monitoring Report, Leisure and Community Services Unit
13.3 1996/97 Corporate Plan Monitoring Report: Parks Unit
13.4 New Brighton Beach Park Landscape Concept - Budget Provision
The Committee resolved that the above items be considered at a special meeting of the Committee
13.5 Dog Parks and Dog Exercise Areas - Suggestion to Allow Burial Ashes
The Committee resolved that this report lie on the table for deliberation at the next budget round.
13.6 Mona Vale - Suggestion to Allow Burial Ashes and Memorial Plaques
A report from the Parks Manager on the above topic has been held over for one month to enable further information to be obtained on a similar scheme at Eden Gardens in Auckland.
14. RESOLUTIONS TO EXCLUDE THE PUBLIC
The Committee resolved that the draft resolutions to exclude the public contained on page 30 of the main agenda and page 3 of the supplementary agenda be adopted.
CONSIDERED THIS 26TH DAY OF MARCH 1997
MAYOR