104 | Gore District Council: Tulloch Park T T Russell Fredric New amenities a big deal for Mataura The total cost of stage two is estimated at $1.1 million. COMMUNITY Work is expected to be completed soon on the second stage of a cool new recreational amenity in Mataura. This stage will see a full-size basketball court, new toilets and changing room, and the pièce de resistance – a zero-depth splash pad/ outdoor water play facility – being located on the site of the town’s former swimming pool, which was closed due to falling patronage and subsequently demolished. Following the need being identified for a modern new recreational area, in 2019 stage one of the development was completed, comprising an asphalted pump track designed to cater for different skill levels, an updated playground, car park, and a landscaped picnic area, at a cost of $350,000. The two amenities are located at Tulloch Park, Mataura’s principal sports ground bordering State Highway 1, which is also home to Mataura Rugby Club and Mataura Gun Club. Gore District Council parks and recreation manager Keith McRobie says the stage two development is expected to be completed mid-March. “The new facilities are as good as you will see anywhere, and will be something the community can be proud of. The standard is really high and Mataura has never had more than $1 million spent in one lump sum on a recreational amenity. It is a pretty big deal.” Mataura will be the only the only town south of Christchurch to have a zero-depth splash pad. It is being constructed by Coombes Aquatics and is designed to be family friendly and cater for all ages. It will have a blue, non-slip surface and multiple fun water features, such as jets and misters to delight and excite users. The toilets and changing room are being provided by Exceloo, which is known for its innovative, self-managing facilities. Local firms, including Ajax Building Contractors and K2 Kontracting, are providing site and associated works, supported by other local contractors. The total cost of stage two is estimated at $1.1 million, with most coming from external funders such as Lotteries Community Facilities Fund, the Better Off Funding scheme, the Tourism Infrastructure Fund, and $70,000 carried over from the stage one budget. A high-profile opening is being planned. “We’ve had some Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa funding to run an opening event. Active Southland and The Y Southland and a few other groups have expressed interest in helping us with that, so that’s really good,” says Keith. He acknowledges that while there was some strong discontent in the community about pulling the plug on Mataura’s swimming pool, which had become unaffordable to repair and maintain, the splash pad will be unique for the area, with the hope of drawing users from a wide catchment. Late last year the splash pad designs were displayed for community engagement and feedback. “We’ve had a community project group, so there’s been people from within the council, our aquatic centre manager and our property manager, and then we also had input from others in the Mataura community. “We’ve had some good input all the way through and certainly with stage one there was a lot of engagement in the community about what should be on the site as well,” Keith says. www.plexipavenz.com | PH: 0800-299-888 NZ SPORTS COURT Performance Meets Perfection SURFACING Specialists in: Tennis | Pickleball Netball | Basketball Multi-Sport Court Surfacing
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