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Last modified: 29 Jul 2020 10:37am

A picture of the Kirwee Domain playground with two women in the distance and a sports field behind

Kirwee residents have the opportunity this month to provide feedback on plans for the proposed extension to the Kirwee Recreation Reserve.

A drop-in session is being held on Saturday 24 August, from 9.30am at the Kirwee Reserve Pavilion.

Selwyn District Council has been working closely with the Kirwee community and reserve committees over the past two years to engage with local residents, sports clubs and organisations, gathering ideas and input for the reserve development.

Those ideas have now been developed into a master plan for the reserve, which will be available for community feedback this month.

Council property and open space planner Derek Hayes says the proposed extension will provide much needed space for both active and passive recreation in the Kirwee area, to meet growing demand for sports fields and community space.

“The community working party has had excellent community and stakeholder engagement at a number of events over the last two years,” he says.

“The plans are now well developed and we are looking for further community feedback to check that we’ve got things about right. We also want to get ideas on any details that people think could be added.

“We’re confident the reserve extension will be a huge asset to Kirwee, with additional sports fields, community recreation space and facilities that will serve the community as a central hub now and into the future.”

The project will see the existing reserve, on Tramway Road, extended by 6.5 hectares. The Council purchased the additional property in 2011.

The additional reserve land will also make it possible to realign the existing number two rugby field and provide a second dedicated cricket oval.

Other works will include an open space area that can be used for off-leash dog exercise, informal areas for children’s play, a walkway surrounding the reserve, and new tree planting with native and specimen trees.

A key part of the proposal is a central community hub that will include playground facilities for all age groups, a basketball half-court and other amenities such as public toilets, formed footpaths, shelter, picnic areas and seating.

Additional car parking will be created along the southern reserve boundary (next to the existing car parking) to cater for activities taking place within new areas of the reserve. There is space allocated for further parking if demand increases in future.

As well as the drop-in session, residents can also view the master plan and other information, and provide feedback online.

Feedback on the reserve extension closes at 5pm on Thursday 29 August.