Potential civic centre options are located on a flood alert site. PHOTO/FILE
Three Masterton civic facility locations were made public on Wednesday, showing the potential of the council’s recreation centre site for the $30.8 million project.
It was also acknowledged that the site was a flood alert area, which would require further investigation.
Masterton councillors voted 6-5 last week to pursue site investigations for the civic facility project at the council-owned recreation centre site at the northern end of Masterton.
Architectural company Architectus provided three layouts at Wednesday’s Civic Facility Project Committee meeting which showed a variety of ways the civic centre could be built on the site.
They are not location proposals and indicate the potential of the site only.
Option 1 placed the civic centre adjacent to Queen St behind the recreation centre and War Memorial Stadium.
It would have views to and from Robinson Park, the swimming pool complex, and existing street trees.
It would also allow for any future expansion of the library.
Option 2 placed the civic centre closer to the northern roundabout and would involve removing the outdoor lido pool onsite.
Although it was noted this option would have a good connection to Queen Elizabeth Park, the road geometry could present difficulties for vehicle access.
The third option appeared to place the civic centre on the site of the existing War Memorial Stadium.
A note on the concept said there was a possibility to adjust the footprint of this option to retain the War Memorial Stadium and/or to retain the 5-lane pool.
It would enable good connection to Queen St and Dixon St and would have views of both Robinson’s Park and Queen Elizabeth Park.
A representative of Architectus said they had facilitated a workshop last week with Masterton community members in the theatre and performing arts sector to help inform their concept planning.
A workshop with those in the library sector were held yesterday.
Other workshops with key stakeholders would also take place.
Mayor Lyn Patterson asked for Architectus to facilitate workshops with the RSA, Golden Shears, and the swimming club “so that they get to understand the different options put forward”.
The most appropriate location for the civic facility would be explored over April and May. — NZLDR
