Members of the Vincent Community Board (VCB) voted unanimously on Friday (May 19) to recommend the Central Otago District Council (CODC) fully fund from rates a $400,000 grant requested by IceInline Central Inc to build a roof over its ice rink.

The recommendation was in keeping with feedback received from the community that asked them to chooses between four options: Fully rate funded over 20 years, with an expected $3.91 rates increase for Vincent ratepayers over 20 years; 50/50 rate funded/reserves ($2.57 per annum over 20 years); fully grant funded ($1.23 per annum lost interest revenue); or no funding (hence no cost).

Of those options, 111 respondents supported full funding from rates, 22 preferred funding split between rates and reserves, 34 wanted funding to come from grants, and 12 did not support any funding.

Thirty-three of those in support of funding commented, with council staff identifying three main themes: expressions of general support for the roof, most citing the valuable asset it would be for the community; the ability for the roof to extend the season for ice sports and prevent cancellations due to poor weather; and the benefits to the larger community, with events held at the ice rink drawing more people into town. 

The 11 comments opposed to any funding focused on a general desire to cut spending and a concern that the funding should be the responsibility of IceInline, not ratepayers.

VCB chair Tamah Alley asked CODC business support group manager Saskia Righarts to confirm that IceInline was only asking for 28 per cent of the cost, which Saskia confirmed.

One comment, from a Cromwell resident, stated: “This has taken 20 years to come even close to completing an asset that will benefit the whole region economically. Get it done already.”

Board members echoed that sentiment, with Dr Roger Browne saying the project had been “hanging around for so long”.

“It would be great to see it finished,” he said. I think we would be very proud to see a roof over the ice rink.”

The board’s recommendation will be considered by the council at their next meeting on May 31.