THE Indoor Community Sport Centre proposed for Cobham Park would not meet current demand, according to a council report.

The eight-court facility has drawn concern it will be inadequate for the needs of Wellington’s sports community. A report presented to the Strategy and Policy Committee in March acknowledged an eight-court facility would meet demand for just six months of the year, at current usage levels.

Councillor Jack Ruben says the council must sort its priorities out and plan for a larger 12-court
facility.

"We need to re evaluate our priorities. The money for a 12-court facility can be found, Ruben says.

"If we didn’t give $7 million to the Marine Education Centre…

Ruben says the facility is essential to encourage kids into healthy lifestyle habits.

"We talk about our kids and keeping them off the streets. We talk about obesity. Let’s do whatever we can to provide the facilities for kids to play sport."

The proposed sports centre would be used by a range of sports including netball, basketball and volleyball. It is expected to cost $29 million at eight full-sized courts and seating for around 1,000 spectators.

At Cobham Park, two sports fields will have to be removed to make way for the centre, while between a quarter and a fifth of the site is earmarked for sale. This land has been valued at $4 million.

At another project, the upgrade of the former quarry carpark at Owhiro Bay, the council also proposes to sell off some of the public land. This caused an outcry from residents groups who were not consulted over the sale. The consultation process is currently underway again, with the sale part of the discussion.

Derek Fry, council director, recreation and events, says: "There is no council policy of selling public land to fund projects like Owhiro Bay."