Town image lift soon

Ruapehu Bulletin, 13 April 1993, Page 1

Town image lift soon

Last Tuesday's 'Mainstreet' public meeting at the Ohakune Hotel was attended by more than 20 representatives from local businesses. Called by the Ruapehu South Business Association to assess the degree of interest and support for an improved township image the meeting resolved to get the 'Mainstreet' project under-way by forming a 'policy and planning' working party. The six members of the working party ,- Robert Horne, Hope Vaughan, Joanna Savage, Allan and Irene Whaie and Max Kelly - undertook to investigate the availability of funding with a view to' employing a coordinator for a jointventure programme between Ohakune and Raetihi. The meeting had been expecting to hear from a representative of the Community Employment Group Scheme (CEGS) about the availability of various agencies to encourage and support small self-help groups but Mr Arthur Warren of was unable to attend.

Despite his absence, the meeting, chaired by RSBA president Sue Allomes, was able to come to some conclusions about the direction the Mainstreet project should take. After hearing about the 18-months preparation involved in the Wanganui Mainstreet programme before work was put in hand, the meeting was told that the architect for the Wanganui project, Mr Bruce Dickson, who had visited Ohakune/Raetihi three weeks ago, was "very enthusiastic about the opporturuties" available in both townships. "But he would want community input into any proposals rather than impose his own ideas if he was to become involved," said Sue Allomes. In order to get this community input a proposal was made for a suggestion box to be made available in both townships so that people who don't attend public meetings can nevertheless make some contribution... "That way they Turn to page 2 '

Mainstreet

From page 1 cannot complain they weren't invited to particate." It was pointed out that, while the imageenhancing project was * called 'Mainstreet', it was necessary to convince the whole community that everyone will benefit from such a scheme and not just the Ladies golf Wednesday 7 April was the first round of the Toanui Trophy. Match played on handicap. The results were: A Pritt beat N Cranston, N Winter beat A Barret, J Martin beat H Cranston, P Mowat beat A Roke, L Drinkwater won by default, C Leary beat G Whale and D Deighton beat B Dempsey, a par round played in conjunction with was won by J Mathews 3 up. D Deighton had a birdie on the 18th and G Whale won the raffle. Sunday and Wednesday is the first Windle Memorial par.

retailers in the main street. "We need to create an atmosphere in town that will encourage people to stay" was a general consensus of the meeting and Raetihi must become involved with Ohakune just as Queenstown and Arrowtown (18kms apart) are jointly involved and promoted. In order to 'start the ball rolling' it has been decided to hold a regular public meeting in Beedees Coffee Lounge in Ohakune every Wednesday morning between 8.30-9.30am to plan strategy and hear views from anyone who would like to drop in with ideas and suggestions. The first meeting tomorrow (14 April) will be attended by Mr Arthur Warren of CEGS who will explain the 'Mainstreet' scheme and answer any questions. It is hoped that a similar opportunity and venue will be provided in Raetihi in the near future.