Millers Flat locals have found a way to profile the small Teviot town as a destination - by raising $650,000 to upgrade their recreation reserve facilities.

The Teviot Community Board heard about the new plans on Thursday, which did not require any funding from the Central Otago District Council.

However, there would be ongoing ratepayer costs for the exterior building maintenance costs if council agreed to enter into an agreement with the Millers Flat Recreation Reserve Steering Group to use the old pavilion. 

The Millers Flat Primary School held an annual sports day for primary rugby and netball players attracting more than 1000 people from throughout Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes, and the reserve had become quite a community hub.

The steering group has advised council they would seek a third of their funding from grants, and aim to develop new tennis courts on the old bowling green site, a pump track on the old courts, and relocate the playground at the rear of the war memorial.

Through the Long-Term Plan 2025/34 council has included the clubrooms in its consultation document as a potential asset to divest. A budget of $115,000 had been allocated for its demolition.

Parks recreation manager Gordon Bailey asked the community board whether they supported the continued use of the facility.

The steering committee has expressed an interest to potentially utilise the clubrooms as a pavilion and storage facility. 

“They propose to take responsibility for the internal maintenance costs of the building and the expectation that council will undertake the exterior building maintenance work.”

The report noted the clubrooms was not an essential element of the wider reserve redevelopment which would happen regardless of the clubrooms future.

It has been identified in the building inspection report that the wooden window frames were compromised and needed to be replaced, but it was unknown if the deterioration exceeded into the wall framing. 

The report also identified the spouting above the shed had rusted out effecting the end rafter in this area. There is also historic water damage as a result of the loose roofing iron over the change room and toilet area located beside the shed.

Board member Sally Feinerman said some people in the community were keen on new tennis courts but not so much on the whole upgrade of the facility.

Board member Curtis Pannett said the clubrooms was an eyesore and unused, “and the community is just asking to do something with it.”