Recreation

Council provides a range of parks, recreational facilities, and other activities which contribute to the health of the community. These activities include sporting and recreational events that gather people together and sometimes draw large crowds to the Far North. Swimming pools provide a range of opportunities from competitive swimming to casual recreational use.

To achieve its outcomes, Council’s parks include a diverse range of community assets such as local playgrounds, court space, sports fields, through to large un-spoilt wilderness areas acquired to protect the environment. Of particular importance to the district is the provision of easily available access to the coast, including strategically located maritime facilities.

Recreation contributes to

• Recreation and leisure facilities are maintained to ensure the community has access to quality facilities and opportunities for developing new facilities are investigated.
• The district encourages a wide range of sporting, cultural and community activities and local events

– in action – 

Aquatic Strategy

What we did in 2013/14

Council has received a strong community-driven desire for better swimming pools. Council, in partnership with Sport New Zealand, has developed a draft Aquatic Strategy. Community Boards and stakeholders have had an opportunity to comment on the draft Strategy. Council and the community will continue to work together to finalise the strategy and will look to having a more informed position in the LTP 2015/25.

What we plan to do in 2014/15

The strategy will be finalised and options will be included in the LTP 2015/25 for public submissions.

– development so far – 

Kawakawa Swimming Pool

What we said  we would do in 2013/14

Improve changing facilities at Kawakawa swimming pool.

What we did in 2013/14

n partnership with the local community the changing facilities were up-graded as well as re-roofing the pool building and improving the pool ventilation system.

What we plan to do in 2014/15

Develop with the community suitable governance and management arrangements for the recreation centre including the pool.

Recreation Hubs

What we said  we would do in 2013/14

Support the development of recreation hubs in Kaikohe and Kaitaia.

What we did in 2013/14

Council and Kaikohe & District Sportsville Inc. started early discussions around how each party will work together to progress the Kaikohe recreation hub.

What we plan to do in 2014/15

Continue support of the development of recreation hubs in Kaikohe and Kaitaia including the development of reserve management plans.

Ministry Of Education

What we said  we would do in 2013/14

Continue to work with Ministry of Education to develop community access agreements to increase public access to a range of recreation facilities on school land.

What we did in 2013/14

Council has participated in discussion with the community to ensure public access to recreation facilities on school grounds at Bay of Islands and Northland Colleges.

What we plan to do in 2014/15

Continue to work with Ministry of Education to develop community access agreements to increase public access to a range of recreation facilities on school grounds.

– what we have achieved in 2013/14 –  

• Up-graded the changing facilities at Bay of Islands Recreation Centre.
• Developed netball courts at Whatuwhiwhi as a community project.
• Developed State of Play reports for each Board that demonstrates the value proposition from Sport Northland and regional sports organisations.
• Completed park improvements at Two Ponga, Okaihau and Kowhai Park, Kaikohe.
• Completed the renewal programme that included footbridges in Rawene and park furniture across the District.

– where are we now? – 

• Balancing the expectations of the community with the level of service that can be provided within existing budgets.
• Managing the demand from some of the community for improved facilities e.g. heated swimming pools with what the wider community is willing to fund.

- key priorities planned for 2014/15 –

Transport Strategy and Advocacy Plan

• Continue to work with regional partners to develop a Regional Sports Facility Plan.
• Develop a formal relationship with Kaikohe & District Sportsville Inc. and together improve sport and recreation opportunities in Kaikohe.
• Continue to support development of Waipapa sports ground as outlined in the reserve management plan.

¹ Please refer to the Recreation section of the Long-Term Plan (LTP) 2012/13 and the Annual Plans 2013/14 and 2014/15 for further information on priorities