About the project

The Wānaka Youth and Community Centre will complement the Wānaka Recreation Centre by offering two multi-use indoor courts, a separate studio that could be used for dance, yoga and fitness classes, or as a meeting space, and dedicated areas for Kahu Youth and Aspiring Gymsports. 

An initial 10-year lease with additional rights to renew commenced on 1 May 2022. 

The project represents an important investment for the Upper Clutha community to help meet demand now and over the coming years. 

Naylor Love was appointed as lead contractor for the fit-out. The total budget is approximately $4.2M. An increase of $90,000 from the initial budget approved by Councillors in April last year has been required due to additional fire protection measures

Aspiring Gymsports moves in!

On Monday 3 July, we held a small blessing to welcome Aspiring Gymsports Gymnastics Club into our new sport and recreation facility being built in Wānaka. They have been granted special access to the building so that they can start running their programmes from week one in term three.

This ceremony has been a long time in the making and there are just way too many people to thank on a single post. We’ll be holding an official launch down the track in September when the full building is complete and ready for public use.

Thank you to the Aspiring Gymsports team, the construction crew at Naylor Love and all involved for making this a reality. And we hope that both recreational and competitive gymnasts enjoy their new home!

Introducing 'Paetara - Aspiring Central'

The name for the facility has been decided and we're happy to introduce Paetara Aspiring Central. 

The name was adopted by the Wānaka  Upper Clutha Community Board at the June meeting. 

The project team is currently working through signage and getting this name up on the building! More details will follow as we get nearer the launch date.

Construction update - May 2023

Naylor Love commenced work on site on 5 April 2023. Since then, Naylor Love has completed the demolition phase of the job which largely comprised the removal of existing strapping and previous material typical of a hardware store.

The walls have now been re-lined as part of the conversion of these spaces to changing rooms/meeting room space in the new facility.

The reconstruction phase commenced shortly after the completion of the demolition works. They have commenced the installation of framing and trusses to the future Kahu Youth space as well as the remediation of the floor and grinding/re-surfacing throughout the building.

The  new facility will welcome its first tenants - Aspiring Gym Sports - from 3 July so that they can run their gymnastics programme. The wider facility is expected to open to the public in September pending construction timelines and minimal delays.

Contact Us

For more information about the project and for any questions, please contact Gabriela Flessak:

Phone:  +64 27 805 5870

Email: gabriela.flessak@qldc.govt.nz