The Vincent Community Board in its meeting on Tuesday (September 5) approved an increase in cabin fees at the Clyde Holiday Park, received an update on the Pioneer Park electrical infrastructure upgrade and other status reports, and accepted the interim financial report for the period ending June 30, 2023. 

This was in addition to the community and promotion grants the board approved at the same meeting.

Read more: VCB cuts grants cloth to fit purse

Central Otago District Council (CODC) parks and recreation manager Gordon Bailey presented the Pioneer Park update and the request for the fees to be increased by Clyde Holiday Park.

He reported that an electrical network had been installed in Pioneer Park about 20 years ago by the Alexandra Blossom Festival, and the infrastructure subsequently donated to the council, who continued to maintain it for the community.

“The report we received earlier this year is that we needed to upgrade that power,” he said.

In recent years, the Blossom Festival had to hire additional generators to supply an adequate supply of electricity to all its vendors. The ongoing work would ensure all electrical connections within the park complied with safety standards.

The value of the upgrade of the electricity infrastructure at the park was $90,000 which had been funded from rate funded depreciation reserves in the Pioneer Park account.

“It will be finished before the Blossom Festival so they don’t have to hire generators,” Gordon said.

Speaking to the request for a cabin fee increase by Clyde Holiday Park leaseholders, Gary and Roslyn Ryan, Gordon said the lease required approval for fees.

“They have asked for a moderate increase in fees for the cabins to provide for commodity increases,” he said.

The increase would take family cabin fees from $70.00 a night to $80.00, and basic cabins from $60.00 to $70.00. The board approved the increase.

CODC accountant Donna McEwan presented the interim financial report for the period ending June 30, 2023, highlighting that the final figures might change.

The operating statement for the months showed a favourable variance of $969,000 against the revised budget, she said.

Operating income showed a favourable variance of $2.82M, with land sales contributing $2.33M. Stage three of the Dunstan Park subdivision was nearly complete with only a few sections remaining to be sold.

Expenditure showed an unfavourable variance of $1.85M, with staff costs $86,000 higher than budgeted. 

Further details of the report can be found on the CODC website.