Media release - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Residents who are interested in the future development of the recreational side of the racecourse will have the opportunity to meet with the project team next week. Council and its consultants, Joseph and Associates, will be hosting a drop-in session at the Boys Brigade Hall at the Racecourse on Saturday 9 December from 12pm – 4pm.
“Alongside the Registration of Interest (ROI) and Request for Proposal (RFP) for the housing side of the development, we are seeking community input into the planning process for the recreational and amenity land,” says Simon Bastion, Chief Executive. “The drop-in session gives us the opportunity to explain the elements of the project and receive community feedback on the recreational planning and wider planning for the Racecourse site.”
A series of concept ideas have been developed, which are intended to stimulate conversations and test the community’s aspirations for the recreational development.
“Council has already begun the ROI process to test the market and see if the right developer or developers can be found. The ROI will need to match the community feedback and aspirations of the working group. There is already a lot of interest in the ROI from developers locally and from further afield. Respondents will be assessed against a set of criteria created by the Hokitika Racecourse Working Group. This will be followed by the RFP process, if Council chooses to proceed and is happy with the calibre of respondents.
If Council moves onto the RFP stage developers will be asked to showcase to the Council an aspirational vision that adheres to Community Broader Outcomes as identified by community engagement and the Working Group. If Council reaches the stage of selling land on the housing side, the profits derived will be used towards the development of the adjacent recreation areas.”
ENDS
Media enquiries to:
Emma Rae, Strategy and Communications Advisor
Emma.rae@westlanddc.govt.nz