Calls for TCC to support a ‘Cultural Centre' in Coronation Park, Mount Maunganui, behind the old I-Centre are at best opportunistic.
This is private commercial enterprise under the guise of ‘culture' trying to establish itself on ex-Bowling Club Reserve land taken by Council who with indecent haste demolished perfectly good existing Clubrooms. Land was taken for Reserve purposes by TCC for use as open green-space, not commercial development.
A Charitable Trust indeed, what might I ask is the purpose of this? Who will have any accountability, who gets a look at the financial books/audits them, what are the objectives of the so-called Trust (approved), who are the people involved anyway (backgrounds) and what is the significance of this Asian-styled-looking building? If and when it turns to custard, who would clean up the mess?
TCC ratepayers should not be funding or providing reserve land or any other land for speculative commercial ventures. It simply shouldn't be there, it is not a Cultural Centre at all, looking more like a pseudo attempt akin to 2011 World Cup plastic waka trying to fly under the radar.
Budding entrepreneurs can acquire own land, raise own funds and then build what they like, perhaps Whareroa Marae about 2 km down Totara Street would be a good site for any authentic onsite cultural entertainment. (abridged)

R Paterson, Matapihi.