Queenstown Squash Club members say council’s putting its future viability in jeopardy from the lack of communication about its CBD bypass plans.
While stage one of the arterial project is well under way, whether there’ll be any funding for stages two and three is still being considered by council as part of its long-term plan (LTP).
Stage two would require the demolition of the Queenstown Memorial Centre, which houses the squash club, as well as the Returned and Services’ Association and the Wakatipu Rugby Club.
For the squash club, it would also mean a potential relocation to the Queenstown Events Centre in Frankton.
Queenstown Squash Club captain Gary Toye says the club’s facilities including two courts — on land it leases from council — are in desperate need of major upgrades.
The club can’t get that under way because they have no idea of council’s plans.
Despite only last week winning the Central Otago interclub championships for the first time in 14 years, ‘‘our club is the biggest eyesore in the comp’’, Toye says.
‘‘It’s getting worse and worse in terms of being run down.
‘‘We need new floors for the courts; they are many years old and need to be replaced.
‘‘That tales a huge chunk of money that we can’t justify spending if the courts are going to get bulldozed in four years — but it’s desperately needed now.’’
Without urgent facilities upgrade, the club will soon get to the point of not being able to host top-level tournaments, such as its popular Easter tourney, that are its main source of income, he says.
‘‘The Easter tournament attracts players from all over the country, as well as Australia.
‘‘We want to make sure the club is good enough to make them want to come back.’’
Toye says the club’s last meeting with council was two years ago ‘‘and that just came to nothing’’.
However, in the past the club’s been informed by council it could be liable for costs to demolish its building, if it comes to that.
‘‘That doesn’t make any sense to any of us.
‘‘It’s like paying for your own noose to hang yourself with.’’
The club’s also requested funding from council to reimburse it for the situation it’s in, which has come to nothing, he says.
‘‘We need to know what’s going on.
‘‘We need time scales, we need to know what we can do as a club.
‘‘If they say [demolition is] 10 years down the line, then we can say, ‘OK, we’ll do the work, put the money in to the club and make it better’.’’
Council media man Sam White says council officers and its ‘community liaison group’ will contact the squash club and other parties affected by stage two of the arterials project ‘‘with the detail, timings and outcomes of the LTP process’’, formal consultation of which won’t start till about next March.
Club’s first trophy in 14 years
At last: Queenstown Squash Club premier team after their win against Alexandra in the final, from left Dan Batchelor (kneeling, club president), Mike Martin, Hamish Foster, Tim Schwass (with shield), Paul Brosnahan, Alan Dallas, Sam Thurlow and Gary Toye (kneeling)
Queenstown Squash Club’s premiers have broken a 14-year drought, finally winning the Central Otago Interclub competition.
As top qualifiers, the resort team made the most of the home-court advantage to beat defending champs Alexandra 3-1 last Wednesday, to lift the interclub shield for the first time since 2009.
Team member Hamish Foster, who played his part by beating Emmett Sparrow 3-0, says he’s ‘‘delighted’’ with the result.
‘‘Some of us have been playing in the competition for a number of years and it’s the first time for any of us to win it, so it’s very satisfying.’’
He puts the winning formula down to being a good team playing consistently with no injuries throughout the season.
Queenstown entered the final top of the round-robin, comprising Wānaka, Alex and two Cromwell teams.
Helping secure the title last Wednesday were Mike Martin, who beat Hayden Manson 3-0 and Tim Schwass who beat Brent Taucher, 3-0, while Paul Brosnahan lost to Willie Taucher 3-1.
