Preserving access to the trails above Alexandra will take long arms, deep pockets and lightning-fast decision-making. The deadline for the Matangi Station sale is noon on Wednesday — the day after a public meeting to gauge support for the easement purchase plan and indications of how much money would be contributed.
Mountain Bikers of Alexandra (MOA) president Andrew Dowling said the club, which has more than 500 members, thought it was secure on the site until 2035, when the current recreational permit expires.
However, late last year Matangi Station pastoral lease owners the Sanders family put the station, which had been run by the family for 100 years, up for sale.
The Sanders allow public access to their 11,400-hectare property, which extends for 27km from the clock hill above Alexandra.
Mr Dowling said several years ago the Sanders seriously considered banning public access due to conflict between farming activities and recreational users.
Instead the family obtained a recreational permit through Land Information New Zealand. That allowed free access to some areas and paid access to the rest of the Matangi Mountain Bike Park.
The permit would expire in 2035, Mr Dowling said.
"They’ve been brilliant — they really see the value to the local community."
MOA was concerned new owners might close public access to the site, he said.
One generation had to pay for the betterment of the future ones, he said.
"It’s our time."
A valuation of the area had been professionally calculated and that figure was being used as a basis for a lump-sum purchase price.
Coy about naming the price, he said it would "buy a house in Alexandra — a nice house".
On Tuesday night there would be a meeting at the Alexandra Bowls Club to gauge public support and see much people were willing to stump up for it.
A family pass to the park would cost $400 and a single half that. If the purchase went ahead, access would be free to all areas for everyone, so hopefully people would consider that when looking at donating to the purchase, he said.
People would not be expected to hand money over on Tuesday but make a pledge to the fundraising.
The club would raise maintenance funds through charging corporate users and running events. There were plans to extend the trails and make further improvements.
As well as public pledges MOA was also looking to charitable grants and corporate sponsorship.
