Gibbston is likely to get a community reserve before Christmas.
The Gibbston reserve development landscape plan and $50,000, available in the 2008-09 financial year to cover fencing, toilets, earthworks and other agreed works, were approved at the Queenstown Lakes District Council community services committee yesterday.
Gibbston Community Association chairwoman Susan Stevens said two events were planned for the Coal Pit Rd site before Christmas - a community barbecue in November and a Christmas picnic in December.
The GCA had already secured topsoil from Millbrook Resort and had organised to limb pine trees that were overhanging the picnic area.
"Other donations" had also been organised, she said.
The available budget, of $50,000, would address some of the development, but further budgeting would be needed in the future to implement the proposed landscape plans, which included a playground, multipurpose sports pitch, playing court, a piste for petanque, bowling and badminton, a shelter, picnic and bike area, an orchard, car park, fencing and landscaping.
Toilets were not planned for the reserve until 2011-12 but the community would be happy to work with the council to get them for a competitive price, she said.
