The Waipapa Papanui-Innes-Central Community Board has taken a significant step forward with the plan that Shirley Community Reserve should become “a destination of choice for the community, a safe space, a place that enhances well-being, and provides a place for social connection”.

At its meeting on 13 June 2024, the Board considered the community feedback on the future of Shirley Community Reserve. Analysis of the feedback had shown that younger age groups tended to support facilitating outdoor activities on the reserve, while older age groups tended to be seeking indoor spaces. By the end of the meeting, where some of the submitters took the opportunity to be heard in person, the Board had resolved to accept the recommendation to initiate a process to design an on-budget community building on the reserve that will enable a mixed use of the reserve and support recreation, play and social connections.

The Board’s decision was subject to the Council bringing forward the budget for the facility in its Long Term Plan, and at its meeting to adopt its Long Term Plan on 25 June 2024, the Council did bring forward that budget, giving the green light to the design process getting underway.

The budget is staggered over the next three financial years, and the Board also requested that an appropriate community partner/operator be identified for the community facility. This is in accordance with the Council’s Community Facilities Network Plan, which includes the requirement for a new Council opportunity that there be: “a willing and able community partner that should be in a position to lead and drive the project end to end unless there is a clear reason why Council must lead.”

Responding to one of the suggestions made through the community feedback, the Board noted its support for a request to include an accessible playground and accessible change facility in the plans for the reserve. The development of outdoor recreation and play elements will receive further consideration in the future as opportunities arise to integrate the plans for a community building with the balance of the reserve being available to be enjoyed as park. The Board had already separately set aside money from its Better Off Fund for CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) planning to facilitate that the reserve should be a safe and inviting community space for years to come.