Waimate needs a better sports stadium, but whether it should be brand new or a $3.8 million redevelopment of the existing facility has caused divisions.
That emerged yesterday when the Waimate District Council heard submissions on its plan to redevelop the 40-year-old Waimate Sports Stadium, itself a redevelopment of a former Drill Hall.
There were 228 stadium submissions on behalf of 484 individuals, with 67% in support, 30% opposed and 3% neutral but making comments.
Some also questioned how it should be paid for - what the contribution should be from ratepayers in remote rural areas compared with those living in the town.
South Canterbury Federated Farmers' representative Colin Hurst wanted the council to defer a decision on the stadium until the council reviewed its funding policy and it became clear how it would be paid for.
Another Federated Farmers' representative, Bob Douglas, said some sectors, such as motels and businesses who would benefit from the stadium, would not be paying for it.
However, what complicated the submissions was a different proposal from Waimate businessman Gary Dennison for a new, larger stadium with more facilities on Boland Park next to the public swimming pool, costing $3 million.
Council property manager Sue Kelly said that caused confusion, with some submitters thinking they had to vote for that proposal or the council's, believing Mr Dennison's costs had been substantiated and was cheaper for more space.
Verbal submissions to the council hearing yesterday were generally in favour, but mixed between a new, larger stadium on Boland Park or redeveloping the present facility.
Ian McLean was ''totally opposed'' to any large, new expenditure when rates were already excessive for the vaue of properties when compared with other districts.
In contrast, Peter Gibbons was originally opposed but said it was now about time the council did it.
Jennie Kitchin wanted the council to reconsider upgrading the existing stadium in favour of a new stadium, Craig Booth believed people wanted a new facility, and John Begg supported a new building on Boland Park.
Matt Henderson urged the council to ''get on and do it'', while Crispin Langston believed people had made it clear they wanted the existing stadium redeveloped and not a new one elsewhere.
Mr Langston criticised ''miserable people who did not want any money spent because it's not going to benefit themselves''.
John Foley said the council was not financially competent to manage such a project, particularly with a projected $834,000 overall deficit.
James Gibson wanted a true multipurpose stadium, and believed the council had not got the recipe right. Construction should not start unless the council had at least 30% of the cost from outside sources other than ratepayers.
In the proposal, the council based all its estimates on a ''worst-case scenario'', using a loan to pay all the redevelopment cost, then paid back by a special rate on individually occupied properties.
That would result in the targeted rate rising from $10.21 per property to almost $33 in the 2014-15 rating year, and by a further $55.09 in the 2015-16 year to a total of $88.
However, Waimate Mayor Craig Rowley believed part of the cost could be met from other outside sources such as fundraising, grants and sponsorship.
