The fast-growing suburb of Albert Town is due for its own community facility, the Albert Town Community Association (ATCA) says. 

“Albert Town has a really unique community feel to it and we would really love to have something we can call our own,” ATCA chair Heather Thorn said. 

The 2018 census showed Albert Town’s population had grown to 2,031, and it is believed to have increased substantially since then.

Yet it is one of the only communities within the Upper Clutha that doesn’t have its own community facility, Heather said. 

“We look at Luggate, and it’s going to have a brand new building; we look at Hāwea, they’ve got a beautiful building, and a hall at Hāwea Flat.”

Heather said the ATCA had approached Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) about acquiring the temporary hall at Luggate once it was no longer needed there, but they were given a firm ‘no’.

The temporary hall is being used by the Luggate community while a $4.85M purpose-built, passive house standard facility is being constructed. 

Meanwhile, the ATCA is holding its meetings in private homes because there is no suitable facility. 

On behalf of the ATCA, Heather made a submission to the council’s community facilities strategy during consultation earlier this year.

She pointed out that under its own strategy, QLDC recommends one facility per 4,000 residents within a 20-minute return, walk, cycle or public transport visit from home.

Hāwea and Luggate both have community facilities despite having smaller populations, and there is no facility within the recommended travel time from Albert Town.

“We are lacking a public space where we can gather; we have no heart,” Heather said.

“To have something people could walk to would be a real asset to our community.” 

Something like the temporary hall being used in Luggate would be “just perfect”, she said.

Other buildings are being considered by the ATCA, but nothing suitable as a permanent facility has been identified. The association is also looking into sites, with Templeton Park identified as an option, although something more central to Albert Town would be prefered, Heather said.

The ATCA is currently surveying Albert Town residents to better understand what they would want from a community facility.

It intends to return to council with the results of its survey.

“We would really like to be considered to have something,” Heather said.

PHOTO: Wanaka App