Council deal with outdoor pursuits centre

The Peel Forest Outdoor Pursuits Centre is selling its buildings back to the Timaru District Council as part of an exchange that will include a six-figure sum from the Geraldine Endowment Land Fund.

The plan was approved on Tuesday as district councillors supported granting $213,000 from the fund while also retiring an outstanding loan of $42,000.

Conditions tagged to the deal include the construction of a public walking track within the 22-hectare block owned by the centre as a partnership between it and the council within six months of granting of the funds.

The council will also take back possession of the buildings under lease, but owned by the centre on council reserve land, and will lease the buildings back to the centre for a period at a reasonable rental.

The purpose of the change is to allow the charitable trust to ‘‘attract strategic partners supporting new activities and programmes that are inclusive and localised’’.

In a letter to the council, Peel Forest Outdoor Pursuits Centre trust chairperson Nicky Donkers says the plan includes ‘‘the development of onsite activities, accommodation platforms and walking tracks within the grounds of the centre that accommodate all abilities and the wider community, encouraged wellness and activity’’.

The trust purchased the buildings from the district council in 2008, but is looking at developing its site on Rangitata Rd.

Donkers’ letter asks for a lease back opportunity of the buildings until the new head office and buildings are erected on the 22ha of land.

The trust purchased the buildings at 1222 Peel Forest Rd for $105,000, and is wanting to sell the buildings back to the council for the same price.

The council agreed to extend a loan to the trust, so it could buy the buildings of which it has paid back $68,000 and have a $42,000 debt on the remaining.

The report to the council shows the centre, which dates back to 1984, hosts close to 6000 students in a summer season through its activities and is the single visitor contact in the Peel Forest area and hosts 18 of the 28 schools from the Timaru District alone.

‘‘There are also visits from the YMCA, Scouts, Girl Guides and Adventure Development as well as ad hoc offerings for competitors of the Speights Coast to Coast and other private outdoor adventure sports activities that require specialist training,’’ the report says.

‘‘The centre also hosts a further 85 schools and youth groups from Dunedin to North Canterbury per year and is considered the outdoor events specialist centre for schools and groups to attend in the South Island.’’

‘‘The centre . . . is considered the outdoor events specialist centre for schools and groups to attend in the South Island.’’

Timaru District Council report