Te Mata Park, Hawkes Bay, NZ
When the Te Mata Park Trust Board asked TRC Tourism to review their proposed visitor and education centre proposal on Te Mata Peak, I did not realise what a challenge the review would be, or the outcome.
Te Mata Park, in the Hawke’s Bay, attracts around 200,000 visitors a year due to scenic views and great walking and cycling.
The visitor centre proposal included a $4.5 million visitor centre, and the Trust Board had achieved a significant amount of finances, primarily from the community for the capital construction costs. With development about to start, a review of the concept, the demand and the ongoing funding was commissioned.
I reported back to the Trust that the Centre as planned could be a significant liability to the Trust. Subsequently, the Trust had announced that it will not be proceeding with its plans building the Centre (http://www.tematapark.co.nz/trust-puts-halt-on-visitor-education-centre). The Trust's current priorities are to complete a Park mangement plan.
Posted: Tuesday 17 March 2015