Simon Perry talks to Newstalk ZB about how Te Awa Lakes will give young people more to do in the Waikato.
Perry Group Chairman Simon Perry spoke to Graham Meade on Waikato Sports Hour recently about how Te Awa Lakes will create a place where families and young people can find plenty to do.
“Our young people often have to head somewhere else, whether it be Raglan or the beach or mountains. To have an amenity where young people can come, as part of what will be a work-play destination for Hamilton, along with housing and tourism, is pretty exciting,” said Mr. Perry.
The masterplan for the Te Awa Lakes site, on a former Perry sand quarry, includes construction of around 1,000 homes, of which at least 400 will be categorized as affordable. Mr. Perry said the big vision for the site is to ensure the housing is part of a thriving mixed-use community by incorporating lots of family-friendly activities.
“We’re looking at some wakeboarding, climbing towers and zip lines and some mini-golf and racing tracks and things. It will be perhaps half a dozen different options for families and work groups to come along. Certainly, some bar and restaurants with bits and pieces around it. Mum and dad can sit back and chill over a coffee or a beer while the kids go on up,” he explained.
The Te Awa Lakes riverfront location will also create an important link in the Perry-backed Te Awa River Ride which is a public cycling and walking path and when completed will stretch from Ngaruawahia to Horahora.
“I just love seeing a community get stronger and people being proud of the region and the district. Having the kids out there riding around and making that accessible. Money is tight for a lot of families. I think free or low-cost activities forkids and families to be able to get out and do on weekends and holidays, there’s nothing better than that. I just get a lot of satisfaction out of it,” said Simon Perry.
The Hamilton City Council has now approved sending the Te Awa Lakes Special Housing Area proposal to Government for review.
You can listen to Simon Perry’s full interview with Graham Meade here: