Councillor's Comment: A win-win scenario

Entering the realm of community governance, I always accepted there would be moments of conflict and compromise interlaced in the privilege of responsibility. Finding the balance between the needs and wants of our community was always going to be an interesting and rewarding challenge.

In the infancy of my term in 2022, our Council was approached by the Tasman Rugby Union (TRU) and Nelson’s City Club with a collaborative proposal of a lease variation that would allow the City Club to take occupancy of the TRU headquarters on Trafalgar Park Lane, and the TRU to solely occupy the premises at Kinzett Terrace. This arrangement was initiated independently by both organisations to resolve the TRU’s need to consolidate their future programmes at one location and the period expiry of the City Club’s lease and shared occupancy at Kinzett Terrace.

Council deliberated over the details of this arrangement and over the next few months undertook the due diligence required for an equitable outcome. It was then agreed in our recent June meeting of Council to approve progressing this arrangement. Although not finalised this step allows these organisations to finalise their negotiations with Council and each other to make it happen.  This is a win-win scenario for our community and the TRU will be able to progress their plans for an advanced rugby/sport academy, further promoting our region and providing a robust platform for excellence. This initiative was led by the community and Council had the will and responsiveness to facilitate part of this promising outcome.

At the same time last year, the Stoke Rugby Club also had issues with their lease agreement at Pūtangitangi Greenmeadows Centre in Stoke. The previous arrangement had cornered them due to their own constitutional requirements that provided little opportunity to contribute to the capital improvements to the venue. Operations Manager Chris Little petitioned myself and fellow Stoke/Tahunanui Ward Councillors Matthew Benge and Campbell Rollo to help navigate their way through this difficult situation. Subsequently a proposal was presented to Council earlier in the year and work was done behind the scenes to allow for a lease amendment to reassess their charge rate and provide for Stoke Rugby Club to make a significant financial investment in the Greenmeadow grounds with the installation of an improved lighting system for public use. The lights will allow the kids and adults extra time during the weeknights for practice once it gets dark and opens opportunities for night games and other sporting pursuits in this public space. Another great win for our community!

It's moments like these that makes my decision to stand for Council all worth it and is encouraging to think that when we have opportunities like these, we can see our community move forward positively and collectively. Well done all.