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TUESday May 5 2015
Selwyn Times
Proudly locally owned A Star Community Newspaper
379 7100
Kea (Nestor Notabilis)
Ladbrooks, Tai Tapu, Leeston, Lincoln, Southbridge, Prebbleton, Halswell, Rolleston, Templeton, Burnham, West Melton, Darfield, Arthurs Pass
In her sights West Melton centre Anna Swain races to get to the ball in her side’s first round match against Broadfield at the Lincoln Event Centre on Saturday. West Melton came out on top in a low scoring match, 34-24, in the final game of the the opening round of the Selwyn premier competition. •More photos, pages 18, 19 PHOTO: KAREN CASEY
West Melton shopping centre faces further setback Liftout BY TOM DOUDNEY A beleaguered $8 million shopping centre proposed for West Melton has been hit with another setback after a key investor pulled out. Developer Robin Butt said he remained confident that the shopping centre would go ahead but he didn’t know when construction would begin as it was a matter of finding a new investor. Meanwhile, a Prebbleton land owner who said last year that he was
expecting to unveil plans for a new commercial development by early this year is keeping a tight-lip on the status of his development. Mr Butt would not reveal the identify of the investor who had pulled out but said the man had been unable to organise the necessary funds. “We have got another couple of people who want to have a look at it, it’s just a matter of getting someone who is going to go with it.” It had initially been hoped that the shopping centre would open
by Labour Day, last year, but when that date came and went without construction having started, higher building costs were blamed for the delay. Mr Butt said the situation had been stressful for him and his wife Jackie but they still seemed to have the support of the retailers who had expressed interest. “We have been working for five years on it and it’s just hard work all the time and we are getting too old for it,” he said.
Selwyn Central Community Board member Bruce Russell said West Melton residents were disappointed the Butt’s development was not happening as quickly as had been expected. “I think we certainly want something there because West Melton has expanded so rapidly and we are very short of services. I think we have always been keen for somebody to set up something in the retail area.” •Turn to page 2
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