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Wednesday, Feb 19, 2014
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THE INDEPENDENT VOICE OF MID CANTERBURY
Decision time for water slide BY SUE NEWMAN
SUE.N@THEGUARDIAN.CO.NZ
Tomorrow is D-Day for Ashburton’s new aquatic centre water slide project. A business case for the water slide has been made, it will be debated tomorrow and mayor Angus McKay and his councillors will have to decide whether to tag $2.2 million in next year’s budget for the project or whether to put it on ice. There has been a strong push by the community and by the Ashburton Stadium Trust to have water slides installed and ready for the EA Networks Centre opening in mid-2015. The council, however, has been cautious because the project will be funded through rates. In August 2012 councillors asked for a business case to be prepared on the water slides; now councillors will have to decide whether the cost will be one that will push ratepayers’ tolerance too far.
The business case offers three options with three price tags. Each option shows the potential for an operating loss, with a pay back period of between 5.8 and 11.6 years. If the council decides it does not want water slides in place when the complex opens, the features can still be added at a later date. Pipes and pumps will be installed during construction but it will cost an additional $90,000 to install these at a later date. If the council gives the project the green light and it is built into next year’s budget, ratepayer reaction will be gauged through feedback on its budget (the annual plan). A final decision would then be delayed until the consultation process is completed in May. The EA Networks Centre is budgeted to cost $32 million without the water slides.
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Battling on the water Soaring temperatures provided a stunning day for the Mount Hutt College swimming sports where five records were broken. FULL STORY
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