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Court news P4
Another i-SITE out of business By Sue Newman
Urquhart and his team were told the Ashburton District Council would be cutting the organisation’s budget from $381,000 a year to $195,000 and that they would have to find ways to work with a slimmer operational model from July 1. And that put the Methven i-SITE’s two full timers and five part-timers’ jobs on the line. Deciding to close the centre was a very difficult decision, Uquhart said, but visitor numbers had been declining in the months prior to Covid-19 and closing New Zealand’s borders was the final blow that added to the need for change. “These are extraordinary and unprecedented times, and we need to play our part in future-proofing our local industry,” he said.
sue.n@theguardian.co.nz
Back on the greens P16
P2
Methven’s i-SITE has become the latest victim of a crashed tourism market, with the centre closing and seven people out of jobs. Those employees, however, are under a media ban, with official comment allowed only from the Ashburton District Council or Experience Mid Canterbury (EMC). The Methven i-SITE’s closure follows the demise of the Ashburton centre two years ago and the district’s tourism promotion will now be delivered through a pared back model as Experience Mid Canterbury responds to the impact of Covid-19. Earlier this year EMC chairman James
There was still a need for an information service in Methven for both visitors and residents alike. And ways to find a solution to that need were under consideration, Uquhart said. “Our staff have been the backbone of tourism in our region. They all possess amazing local knowledge and information and as a board we’ll be very sad to see our team leave. Our priority right now is to support our staff during this difficult time but we’ll be working with the council to see what other opportunities there may be in the future.”
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P2
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