Leamington Domain
Leamington Domain Family Fun Day. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
A plan to remove Leamington Domain’s skating rink and build a covered multi-purpose court nearer the croquet green was presented to Waipā District Council’s Service Delivery committee this week.
Reserves planner Bonnie Lewis unveiled the suggestions prepared after months of consultation with domain users.
Other key points in the draft plan include providing a bookable, multi-purpose community facility with a kitchen, toilet and changing rooms suitable for gatherings.
Where the skating ring is currently would become a small wetland area to mitigate flood risk at the site.
Part of the domain is prone to flooding and as climate change progresses, the flooding risk would increase, said Lewis.
The train track would be partially realigned to create a bridge going over the wetland.
Walking and cycling tracks would be introduced to connect the spaces and the current grass mound, which doubles as a train tunnel, would become a focal point in the playground. It would provide visual connectivity with a proposed carved pou at the domain’s northeastern corner.
The domain covers 6.879ha and just under half is available for public use. Lessees include Cambridge Top 10 Holiday Park, Cambridge Netball Centre, Leamington Croquet Club, Cambridge Model Engineering Society and the greater Waikato Railway Modellers.
Other users include cricket, pétanque, roller skating, tennis, art, fitness, markets and what the council says is “informal” recreation.
The site includes the unique two-storey octagonal band rotunda built in 1910 and moved to the site in 1921. It is a Heritage New Zealand Historic Place Category One building.
The masterplan was prepared following a family fun day in April and followed up by more than 160 survey responses handed in.
Clare St Pierre
Committee chair Clare St Pierre congratulated the council team, Xyst and Field and Flora Ltd for producing “this really beautiful” draft plan.
Landscape architect Liz Oldfield said the engagement had helped inform the design principles while senior consultant Nicki Malone said the draft provided a long-term vision for the park.
Deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk said the master plan was a great result for a much loved community space.
Cambridge ward councillor Philip Coles also heralded it as an amazing area of public use for the community while cautioning staff: “Please don’t move the steam roller,” a reference to a battle the Cambridge Community Board had several years ago to keep the old vehicle in the playground.
Lewis said the public consultation which includes a drop in session on October 15, includes a survey for interested parties.
It will be available online and in council offices and libraries and highlight the key changes under consideration.
Family Fun Day at Leamington Domain
