“Councilors vote for campervan park; they’re not sure about skating or a tent”

“Councillors approved the 2009/10 draft Waterfront Development Plan at today’s Strategy and Policy Committee and asked Wellington Waterfront Limited to:
- complete the planning and design of a temporary campervan park at Kumutoto (opposite the NZ Post headquarters on Waterloo Quay), prior to construction later this year or early 2010. They also asked Council staff to explore options for a permanent campervan site somewhere in the city. [Scoop note: the campervan park location has also been named as the site of the six-storey Hilton Hotel which the council wants to be built on the waterfront.]

- prepare a business case to demonstrate the financial viability of a proposed ice skating rink at Queens Wharf and tensile fabric structure next to Waitangi Park, and complete the planning and design of these projects.

- address design issues and explore how to reduce the estimated $400,000 cost of public toilets at Kumutoto, and review the signage and condition of existing toilet facilities on the waterfront.

“Forget about $400,000 designer dunnies and more buildings on the waterfront – the area should instead become a “recreational forest” criss-crossed with rollerskating paths and tree-top viewing platforms.”

But Katy Brown, from Kilbirnie, said in her submission that waterfront projects would add to the city’s carbon footprint and the council should consider what she calls “a recreational forest”.

“It could have huge community input, involvement [and] ownership, education about pros and cons of a plethora of tree types, roller skating paths all over the place, [and] lots of sunny platforms where people could look out over treetops and oceans.”

Waterfront Watch president Pauline Swann said in the group’s submission that it supported a council decision to extend the implementation of the waterfront project over 10 years. “[But] Waterfront Watch does not support proposals to build the designer toilets, temporary ice skating rink [and] the temporary tensile structure.”

- to which of course, one has to ask Mr Gardyne, what does a toilet have to look like?

“Kumutoto Wharf (Toilets), estimated cost $400,000″
Frances Lee, Ngaio: “It is inappropriate and freakish.”
Stuart Gardyne, Roseneath: “Will people be able to identify these easily as toilets?”
Sue Paterson, CBD: “The design approach … is preferable to a standard toilet facility in this location.”
Anne Ryan, Miramar: “They look like a forlorn transplant from Disneyland.”

“Ice skating rink, Queens Wharf, beside TSB Arena, during winter months.
Vaughan Wilson, of Normandale: “The proposal has the potential to act as a hub and pull more people on to the waterfront.”
Margarete McGrath, Kelburn: “This is a great concept which would work well in a currently under-utilised space.”
Peter Graham, Paparangi: “The proposal for an ice skating rink on Queens Wharf is ridiculous.”
Grant Watkins, Te Aro: “An ice rink will provide people with an alternative to existing bars and restaurants.”

You can make a Local Government Official Information Act request through the WCC website: http://www.wellington.govt.nz/services/officialinfo/requestform/requestform.php

I’ll quote from it:
“After waiting many years, Wellington Waterfront finally held the long awaited Competition for the Outer Tee. We’ve been holding our breath, waiting to hear what the results of the competition were. How many entries? Any good ideas? Was there an outright winner? Could the judges make up their minds?
But since the entry period closed, nothing but Silence.
Contrary to common opinion, silence is not golden, but is just a total pain. Wellington wants to know what was entered, and who / what has won! Come on Wellington Waterfront, don’t spin it out again! Last time you held a competition (for Sites 8, 9, and 10) you sat on the answer for months. Then it was an anti-climax. And now you’re not even going to build any of the winners at all! Please don’t sit on the results again!”

Indeed, the triangulated roof form is intriguing – almost as if it is to curve, or move, or fold up and pack away. Although, one hopes, not with the waka still in it….

It seems vary different and I can see a lot of spark about the overall form, particularly the triangulated roof. However, Im curious on the intentions of the interior space in relation to the porch and how the two realms interact with the programme….