21st May 2020 By Staff Reporter | news@tourismticker.com | @tourismticker
The concept for the proposed Kāpiti Island Gateway. Image: Supplied
Kāpiti’s proposed $4.46m Gateway project will help boost local tourism jobs and aid the recovery, says the Kāpiti Coast District Council.
The council has unveiled the concept design for the proposed Kāpiti Island Gateway building and visitor centre as it considered an application to the Provincial Growth Fund for 50% funding.
“If we are successful in securing this funding it will significantly enhance the visitor landscape and create local employment opportunities through the construction phase and then ongoing for the tourism sector,” Kāpiti Coast mayor K Gurunathan said.
He said that while the cost was estimated to be $4.46m, the economic revenue generated by the Gateway in its first year and Kāpiti Island tourism would be $5.91m.
Chair of the Gateway governance group and former Tourism New Zealand chief executive, George Hickton, said there was a need to green-light the project now.
“This will be a shot in the arm for Kāpiti providing jobs, supporting the domestic tourism sector in the short-term and setting us up well in preparation for the return of international tourism once travel restrictions have been lifted,” he said.
The Athfield Architects’ design featured a single storey 235m² building with decking and a new bridge over Tikotu stream.
The criteria used to choose the concept included taking into account the coastal environment, eco-building principles, providing an area for Kāpiti Island visitors and tour operators, as well as biosecurity requirements.
Subject to council approval on 28 May, the PGF application would be lodged at the end of May/early June.
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