An artist’s impression of a potential market space in Te Awamutu. Photo: Supplied
Shane Walsh has had a few setbacks putting forward ideas he says would benefit Te Awamutu – but he doesn’t take the disappointment personally.
He believes a “great opportunity” will be missed if a proposed Te Awamutu market space doesn’t go ahead.
Walsh – Te Awamutu Business Chamber’s chief executive and Destination Te Awamutu’s chair – is buoyed by Waipā District Council confirming more work will be done to investigate creating a proposed $550,000 hub at the former Mahoe St Holmes Garage site, despite a Beca feasibility study concluding the proposal appeared prohibitive.
It has been championed by the Te Awamutu-Kihikihi Community Board and Te Awamutu Business Chamber.
Of late, Te Awamutu landlords rejected a special rate proposed by the chamber which would have provided funding to promote retail business in the town centre.
Then, council announced it was cutting its funding to the two i-Sites in Cambridge and Te Awamutu.
“It is clearly disappointing,” Walsh told The News of fighting for his ideas.
Shane Walsh.
“But they are not just mine. I’m not just an individual, I’m here on behalf of organisations.
“I understand times are tough. My role is to work hard to activate ideas on behalf of those I represent.
“The sense of disappointment ideas wise is never personal. I am pleased though that market space discussions will continue.”
Council’s deputy chief executive Ken Morris acknowledged the property, purchased by council in 2016, was strategically important.
“We want to make the area a vibrant space… but we need to make sure we’re investing ratepayer resources wisely, and not compromising wider opportunities.”
Walsh said the market space offered several economic and community-related benefits while acknowledging the site’s cultural and historic significance.
The proposed design would have a “unique New Zealand” feel – including a mural recognising the Selwyn Park site of the Otawhao mission station.
Walsh said initially the site would house a weekly Sunday artisan and produce market.
“I foresee it becoming a venue for many other cultural, creative and artistic expressions in our community.”
The site could fit 36 stalls and could be complete in a few months, Walsh said.
“…when you consider the cost of the project against the economic and community orientated benefits it would bring, I think a great opportunity will be lost to Te Awamutu if we don’t do this.
“It could potentially be an amazing space people would undoubtedly talk about,” he said.
