Landing redevelopment

From City Scene, published on 23 September, 2007

Work continues on the second stage of redeveloping The Landing at Okahu Bay. Recently completed improvements for recreational boating use of the site include:

a boardwalk and walkway for better pedestrian accesss
new rigged yacht storage and relocated dinghy areas
new lighting and landscaping
enhanced boat ramp access and short-term car and boat trailer parking
an upgraded entrance and driveway.

The area will feature a new sealed hardstand, wash down area, filtration system, waste management shed and Novaloo toilet by late summer 2008. The boat ramp will be upgraded once regional council resource consents have been granted.

Last week the Arts, Culture and Recreation Committee considered a proposal to establish a national sailing centre att

The Landing as part of stage 3 improvements.

The proposal was first advocated by Yachting New Zealand (YNZ) and the Royal Akarana Yacht Club. The council will undertake further investigations and public consultation on the idea, to determine whether building requirements for such a centre can be balanced with the needs of existing site users.

Committee chairperson Councillor Penny Sefuiva says a national centre of excellence would provide young people interested in the sport, with the chance to train and develop their skills to an international level. "Currently, we have no single location that can offer the skills and experience required to train Olympic-level athletes, and the yachting community widely believes one is needed," she says.