A Christchurch businessman's bold ideas to boost Balclutha and make the local gardens a key feature of the town have been unveiled.
Licensed builder Kevin Barron, of Christchurch, told the Clutha District Council's service delivery committee about his ideas last week as part of a submission on the council's community and reserve management plans (RMP).
Mr Barron revealed a concept drawing of his ideas to expand and link Naish Park, in Charlotte St, with the adjoining Centennial Park, including the replacement of the duck pond.
''It should be a water feature, not a duck pond,'' he said.
His ideas included a community garden, barbecue areas, walkways and merging the nearby South Otago Athletic Club grounds.
''Naish Park has got the bones of a good garden,'' he said.
Improving it would put it on a path to becoming a garden of ''national significance''.
He hoped it could also increase usage of the Balclutha Centennial Pool which was next to Centennial Park.
Balclutha resident Viv Fyall also spoke on the RMP and provided the council with information about outdoor electric barbecues for Naish Park for use by the public.
After hearing Mr Barron's proposals, Mrs Fyall said she supported his ideas which could work well with her own.
Mr Barron also shared ideas on restoring the bandstand at Naish Park as an entertainment venue.
He said he would like to initiate a ''Friends of Naish Park'' group which would volunteer time and supplies to the project.
However, he made it clear that all he was presenting was ''just ideas''.
He also spoke of his ''bold idea'' to create a tourist and community hub at the Balclutha War Memorial Hall which could include merging with the South Otago Museum.
More than 4500 people visit the information centre at the memorial hall each year while the museum, just across the road, only had 400 visitors per year.
The development needed to start with community input and not outside consultants so as to build ''a culture of achievement and involvement'' among Clutha residents.
Mr Barron's ideas for Naish Park were part of the council's formal consultation on its RMP.
The feedback he presented for the War Memorial Hall was in response to the council's ''Our Place'' community plans.
