The Wanaka Rowing Club's latest boat shed proposal for a new building on lakeside reserve land has attracted opposition from neighbours on Mt Aspiring Rd.
Timaru couple Lyall and Gaynor Shearer own 59 Mt Aspiring Rd, near Stoney Creek, and say they intend to retire to that property.
Mr Shearer yesterday told the Wanaka Community Board he had only just learned of the proposal and he opposed a lease over the lakeside reserve for the proposed club house.
Mr Shearer said when they bought their house several years ago they believed having a reserve in front would protect the view over the lake from their house from being built out.
Mr Shearer said the club house would have a substantial environmental and aesthetic impact and he believed Eely Point was a better place for it.
He was also concerned the building could be expanded at some point later on.
Board member Mike O'Connor said there was an incorrect public perception that reserves could not have buildings on them. The council needed to make the community more aware of what was permitted under reserve management plans, Mr O'Connor said.
Once all public feedback had been received, the council's property services manager APL Ltd will prepare a report recommending whether or not to grant a lease for the boat shed.
The club released a site comparison report and two site options last week.
The club's preferred option is on the reserve in front of Mr and Mrs Shearer's house at the start of the Millennium Track.
The second option is a site about 100m further down the track among scrubby trees in front of Wanaka Station Park.
The second site was first suggested last year and was the club's preferred option until the board asked it to erect profile poles on a highly visible site at the end of McDougall St.
That site was promptly rejected following strong public opposition.
The club has now investigated eight sites.
It explored the idea of combining with the Wanaka Yacht Club or the Scout Club but found those options had no benefits.
Conflicts between motorised craft and rowing skiffs have been identified at Eely Point.
