Detailed plans for a million-dollar-plus waterfront building at Broad Bay have been presented to residents at a meeting at the Peninsula settlement.
The proposed complex - costing up to $1.4 million - would replace the existing Broad Bay Boating Club building.
The idea was put forward by Broad Bay Waterfront Inc, a group formed in 2007 to develop the idea of a shared boat club and community centre.
The group held its annual meeting at Broad Bay last Thursday, when details of the proposal were outlined to a crowd of about 60 people.
The two-level building would include a hall with space for 130 people, a boat clubroom and kitchen, and space for community events and school assemblies as well as public and private functions and the potential for a cafe/bar development.
The design had been selected from four options, and aimed to "become the heart of the community", a flyer, circulated by the group before last week's meeting, said.
"The spaces, both inside and out, are designed to be warm, welcoming and sheltered. They will enhance the area adjacent to the beach and improve the enjoyment of the waterfront."
Broad Bay Waterfront Inc chairman Richard Good and secretary Allan Potter could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Last year, Mr Potter said the new building would be part-funded by the sale of the town's existing community-owned hall for $600,000.
Broad Bay Waterfront Inc was formed after the older hall's committee approached the township's boating club in 2005 to suggest a shared building, he said.
The new incorporated society was formed as a result, with representatives from the existing hall's committee and the boating club, to investigate options.
A survey of both groups had found "unanimous" support from members for the concept, with additional funding and resource consents yet to be obtained, he said.
However, plans for the complex generated some community opposition last year. A group called Keep Our Hall was formed to oppose the sale of the existing community hall.
Most of those attending last week's meeting indicated they favoured the development, with only a handful opposed or in doubt.
The Otago Daily Times understands the design has already been ratified by the boat club, and will be considered by the hall's committee shortly.
