Groups and individuals using the Waitaki Community Recreation Centre have turned out in strength to support the complex and its continued funding by the Waitaki District Council, fearing for the future of the complex.
The council is proposing to end its annual $73,000 contribution to the centre from 2013-14, saving an Oamaru average residential ratepayer $9.12 a year. That caught both the Waitaki Community Recreation Centre Trust and supporters by surprise.
This week, the council heard from them on the first day of hearings of submissions on its draft 2012-22 long term plan, urging the contribution to continue.
A survey on the draft plan, which attracted more than 300 replies, found 41% wanted funding for the centre stopped and 47% wanted it to continue, while the rest did not respond.
The centre's manager, Lorraine Ward-Smith, warned if funding was cut, the centre might have to close. She wanted the council to increase its funding.
Trust chairwoman Bronwyn Banks, trustee-secretary Bruce Dow and trustee Barry Kingan said the loss of such a huge amount came as a shock to all trustees. It represented 27.5% of the centre's budget.
The health benefits to people of all ages who used the centre were well recognised, aided by the reasonable prices charged.
They asked the council to reconsider its grant so the facility could be managed as best it could, given its limited funding.
Sandra Familton, of the North Otago Basketball Association, said the centre should be run as a business and everyone should pay the same amount of money to use it.
Mrs Familton said a new facility was needed and Oamaru resident Shirley Hayes suggested a stadium be built at the Oamaru Showgrounds for both indoor and outdoor activities.
Oamaru resident Gail Papps said the council should be increasing its contribution to encourage active pursuits in the district.
Gai Tangney had been instructing t'ai chi for eight years at the centre and said costs of classes were kept to a minimum to make them accessible, but would increase without council funding for the centre.
Jeremy Smit, of Alpine Club, said the centre was a resource that was undervalued by the council, which needed to understand the full impact the centre had on health, recreation and tourism.
Oamaru resident Di Roberts said the centre was a very busy community facility and it would be a huge loss to many clubs, sports and groups if it was not supported by the council.
Oamaru Intermediate School representative Andrea Naylor said the school regularly used the centre and needed costs to be as low as possible. It was an essential facility for the whole community, and young people, in particular.
"Don't cut or stop funding it," she said.
Oamaru resident Ray Henderson said a commercial, user-pays operation was needed at the centre and Jack Lyford, of Hampden, said the council should stop funding it and it should become user-pays.
