CBD unlikely to be closed off

BY CRIS JOHNSTON IN WANAKA

The Wanaka Community Board was "unlikely" to support central business road closures for future Triathlon New Zealand races held in the town, board chairman Lyall Cocks said.

Mr Cocks was speaking after a debrief session held on Friday to discuss the week-long triathlon festival held in Wanaka from January 10 to 16.

Board members, retailers and tourism operators as well as Challenge Wanaka event director Victoria Murray Orr attended.

Retailers have expressed displeasure that part of the central business district is blocked off while the race is held.

Feedback from different sectors of the community had indicated significant concern about the impact of the festival week but particularly about closing Helwick, Ardmore and Dunmore streets for Triathlon New Zealand New Zealand's Contact Cup sprint triathlon which this year was held on January 15, Mr Cocks said.

"When we approved the application last year we did so providing it would be reviewed after this year's event. Clearly there is not enough support to run the race through the CBD again.

"We have decided to notify Triathlon New Zealand now so they can work on an application with an alternative route for approval later in the year.

"The board probably won't be discussing the issue again until we receive the new application."

Forty-six submissions were received on the Challenge week, with 23 saying it had a negative effect on trading mainly because of road closures and parking issues.

Lake front tourism operators, including Mark Ayre, of Lake Wanaka Yacht charters, were also concerned about areas on the foreshore being closed "or appearing to be so".

For the fourth consecutive year his boat hire business had been unable to operate during the festival week.

"A third of the beach was closed off – or appeared to be," Mr Ayre said in his submission.

There was no access to the beach or waterfront and a huge amount of carparking was lost, especially for campervans.

Fifteen businesses, most on lower Ardmore St which runs along the lakefront said it had been good for trading and positive for Wanaka, while five said it had both positive and negative spinoffs and three did not comment.

The board would have to consider how to address concerns including access to the beach, signs and improved parking, he said.

Ms Murray Orr said: "Triathlon New Zealand is open to change. Our Contact Cup race is an iconic event but we want to work with the community."

She said she could not release any details of an alternative course, except to say it would probably use Ardmore and McDougall streets along with Pembroke Park.

Meanwhile, Wanaka Chamberof Commerce chairman Leigh Stock said he supported course changes.

"The community board stuck with the original concept this year to see how it went.

"It is correct to change the course now due to the impact on businesses. It isn't warranted to close the CBD.

"The board can work with Tri New Zealand for the benefit of operators in Helwick St."

- © Fairfax NZ News