Waimate Event Centre a positive for community, chief executive says.

1 March 2017

Children play at the Waimate Event Centre

The progress of the multi millon dollar Waimate Event Centre has been described as a learning experience nearly 12 months after it's official opening.
Waimate District Council chief executive Stuart Duncan confirmed on Wednesday the facility had been valued at $6.2 million, contributing $500,000 more to the council's surplus than budgeted in the Long Term Plan.
Duncan's comments followed announcements on Tuesday the council had posted a $2.1 million surplus for the 2016/17 financial year, exceeding budget by more than $800,000.
The centre officially opened in December 2016.

It was valued at $5.5 million in July 2016. It began life as a $3.8 million investment by the district council and the community, and project partner Gary Rooney.
Latest statistics showed visitor numbers to the centre peaked at 3755 in June 2017, up from 3093 in May, before dipping to 2941 in July.
Figures had fluctuated over the months January to September, dropping to 1671 in September.
Council community and strategy manager Carolyn Johns said the council had expected user numbers to decline slightly as the outdoor sports commenced and people took advantage of the warmer weather and exercising outdoors.
"However the number of users since the Waimate Event Centre opened has exceeded our expectations," Johns said.
Duncan said: "We are still learning as we go but overall we are happy with the way it's going."

The attendance figures were pleasing though he was keen to see more people booking the facility for private functions.
"We are looking at a couple of things going forward which will likely include more sport including indoor soccer and indoor hockey," Duncan said.
"Staff have been in conversation with football representatives." 
At Tuesday's extra-ordinary meeting, councillors set fees for the use of the new cricket practice lane at the centre.
Councillors voted to approve a minimum pre booking rate of $20 per hour or a casual rate of $6 per person per hour with a maximum of five people.
Johns said there had been communication with cricket clubs who had sought casual use rates.
Waimate Mayor Craig Rowley said a casual rate was about attracting casual users.
"In my opinion we should be encouraging casual users."

Information from: www.stuff.co.nz