Youth worker Mark Faed made sure he gained councillors' attention when he spoke to the Dunedin City Council annual plan hearings committee yesterday.
He first invited them to ‘‘have a quick stretch'' to revitalise themselves after several hours of deliberations, then handed out mini chocolate bars.
‘‘The word bribery comes to mind...'' Dunedin Mayor Peter Chin joked as the chocolate bars passed his chair.
Mr Faed, a trustee on the One-80 Degrees South charitable trust, asked the council to contribute $150,000 over the next three years towards the installation of a confidence course on leased land behind Panmure Ave, Corstorphine.
The equipment would include 11 high ropes challenges, a 300m flying fox, a giant swing, low rope elements and a selfbelaying area designed to take people beyond their preconceived limits and to learn to take risks.
The course would be used by the disadvantaged youth and families the trust already worked with, as well as being available to corporate groups, clubs, tourists, climbers, emergency services trainers, territorials and others at commercial rates, Mr Faed said.
It was hoped the high ropes, flying fox, giant swing and toilets would be operational by December. Long-term, the trust planned to plant native trees on the land, and to erect an office building.
