A competition to design a new Visitor Information Centre for Wanganui has produced three exciting concepts.

The current Visitor Centre, next to the Council's Guyton Street building, is no longer adequate for its purpose and the Council intends to build a new Visitor Centre adjacent to the Moutoa Quay riverfront walkway on one of the sites it already owns.

Three architectural practices have stepped up to the design challenge - Dalgleish Architects, DLA Architects and Void Architecture, who have all developed their concepts at no cost to the council. The architects' brief was to choose one of the council-owned sites on the riverfront as the new location. Dalgleish Architects and DLA Architects thought the site currently occupied by the Tram Shed was the most appropriate for a new Visitor Centre, while Void Architecture's concept is based on the Tearaway building on Taupo Quay.

Concepts

More designs and information are available on this page.

Dalgleish Architects - led by Craig Dalgleish

This concept sites the Visitor Information Centre on the corner of Taupo Quay and Drews Avenue on the land currently occupied by the Tram Shed. It proposes that the Tram Shed is moved to a site closer to the Waimarie. The design is for an eco-facade building, which would provide a park-like appearance from the river side and incorporate the heritage feel of Taupo Quay. The eco-building would include reuse of energy and resources. The building would allow for the Department of Conservation and Iwi to have a presence and a second complementary building, with an exterior look based on eel trap weaving, would provide space for a hotel and offices.

DLA Architects - led by Bruce Dickson

This concept is based on the current Tram Shed site as the preferred location, moving the Tram Shed adjacent to the Waimarie to create a transport hub and possibly a Transport Museum. The Visitor Centre building design is based on a wharenui structure, with a high roof open to the light, and reflecting the design of the Tram Shed and Riverboat Centre buildings. The design incorporates space for the Department of Conservation, public toilets and an area for buses. It takes a sustainable approach with the use of solar panels, natural light and reuse of rain water from the roof for a fountain and wetland area.

Void Architecture Research Urbanism - led by Mark Southcombe

This concept is based on an adaptive re-use of the existing heritage building at 31 Taupo Quay (the Tearaway building). Using an existing building would allow development to be done in stages, as commercial partners were found. The new Visitor Information Centre would overlook the Whanganui River and open out onto the riverfront boardwalk. Other aspects of the design include incorporating a New Zealand Museum of Glass, cafe, shop, public toilets, Department of Conservation office, multimedia auditorium, with more space available to be let to commercial operators (e.g. a boutique hotel, seminar facilities or office space).

Next steps

A static presentation has been set up in the lobby of the War Memorial Hall and the public has until July 31 to give feedback on the designs. Feedback forms are available at the display and can be downloaded here (PDF, 26KB). On August 31, Council will deliberate and make a decision on its preferred design for the Visitor Information Centre.

Applications are now being accepted for projects, events and initiatives occurring between 1 July 2009 and 30 June 2010, that deliver significant economic benefits to the Wanganui city and district. $200,000 is available in the Impact Fund.

For the purposes of this fund "significant economic impact or economic impact" is defined as a demonstrable and measurable impact/increase in visitor numbers and expenditure.

If you are seeking "seed" funding for a new project/event or initiative,the term of the "seed funding" will be at the discretion of the Assessment Committee.

This fund has traditionally attracted applications specifically for events. There is an intent this year to also seek applications for initiatives and projects focused on new economic opportunities.

Wanganui District Council Impact Fund grant applications will be assessed in accordance with the following key considerations:

• Ability to attract visitors and their economic impact
• The projected dollars spent within the city and district
• The organisation's ability to deliver
• Sustainability and repeatability of the event/project
• The national profile/exposure the project will give Wanganui

Applications close 5.00pm Monday, 3 August 2009.

Application forms are available from the Wanganui District Council or on this page.

For enquiries please contact Keith Smith, Wanganui District Council, phone (06) 349 0001, email Keith Smith.

Wanganui Judo Club (pictured above) received money from the Impact Fund 2008/09 towards hosting the North Island Judo Championships in September 2008.

Community organisations working within the Wanganui District are advised that applications for Community Contracts for the 2009/2010 financial year (1 July-30 June) are now invited.

The Community Contracts programme provides funding to community organisations who provide service initiatives that:

• Support the Council's 10-Year Plan
• Provide depth of value and benefit to the wider Wanganui community
• Increase community capacity in the Wanganui community

There is $100,000 of contestable funding available for the 2009/2010 year. Please note that the Community Contracts Fund is separate from the Impact Fund which supports initiatives that attract visitors and deliver a significant economic impact to Wanganui, and deliver sustainable programmes that raise the national profile of Wanganui.

Community organisations interested in Community Contract funding can obtain a specific application form, explanation notes, guidelines and criteria from:

• Wanganui District Council, Customer Services Counter, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui
• Community House, 53A Ridgway Street, Wanganui
• Wanganui District Library , Queens Park and Mobile Library

The closing date for applications is Monday, 27 July 2009, at 5.00pm.

Thinking of applying?
If you are thinking of applying and are not sure if you meet the criteria, please contact Keith Smith, phone (06) 349 0001 for further information.

The NZ Geographic Board's formal consultation period for the proposed change of spelling from Wanganui to Whanganui is from 14 May 2009 to 17 August 2009.

Members of the public have three months to make submissions supporting or objecting to the proposed name change. If a person objects to the proposal, they can suggest an alternative proposal or support the existing name.

Written submissions can be made by email, fax or post and sent to:
Secretary for the New Zealand Geographic Board Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa
c/- Land Information New Zealand
160 Lambton Quay
Private Box 5501
Wellington 6145
New Zealand
Fax: (04) 460 0112
Email: nzgbsubmissions@linz.govt.nz

Further information about the submissions process can be found on the NZ Geographic Board website at www.linz.govt.nz.

Details of the following vacancies are available on this page:

Environmental Health Officer
Applications close 19 July 2009

Cafe Library Frontline Services (2 vacancies)
Applications close 26 July 2009

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Council – Monday, July 20
- The Council will consider the reports from committee meetings held in June and July along with reports direct to Council – New Zealand Geographic Board – Submission on Spelling of Wanganui/Whanganui; Report on Wanganui District Council's Resource Management Processes; Ultra-Fast Broadband Update and Mayoral E-Learning Broadband Consortium; Cooks Gardens Governance; Proposed Wanganui District Council (Prohibition of Gang Insignia) Bylaw 2009; Draft Visitor Strategy; Borrowing Programme for 2009/10 Year; Setting of Rates – 1 July 2009 to 30 June 2010; Councillors' Reports. Confidential: Wanganui District Council Holdings Ltd's Report; Chief Executive's Report.

Youth – Monday, July 27 (4.00pm)
- Resignation of Youth Councillor; The Council's Waste Minimisation Plan; National Youth Forum on Cultural Diversity; Youth Development Partnership Fund; Projects and Working Party Updates; Youth Services Activity Report; Wotz Da Haps; Have your say!

Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held at 3.00pm in the Council Chamber, 1st Floor, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui.

Agendas are available at the Customer Services Counter, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui, and the Wanganui District Library two working days prior to the meeting.