Wheels at Wānaka is a step closer to becoming Wheels at Cromwell after the community board approved changes to the racecourse that would allow the event to relocate.

At a meeting on Tuesday (March 3), the Cromwell Community Board unanimously agreed to support the proposal, including earthworks requested by event organisers.

A report from parks and recreation manager Gordon Bailey outlined the physical changes needed to accommodate the event at the racecourse.

They include creating a permanent machinery show area - described as a parade ground - large enough to fit a full-sized rugby field in the centre.

The space could also be used for other activities such as concerts or future sports use.

A separate machinery digging area would also be established with a viewing embankment alongside it.

“This area will be dug up and re-levelled after the event each time to minimise any ongoing disruption to other reserve users,” Gordon said in his report.

The motoring and machinery event, held every second Easter and attracting tens of thousands of visitors, was last staged at Three Parks in Wānaka, with the 2025 instalment billed as the “fourth and final”.

The racecourse, a council reserve, is managed by the Central Lakes Equestrian Club under lease from council and has recently undergone a reserve management planning process aimed at enabling a wider range of sport and recreation uses alongside equestrian activities.

The board was told the club supported the proposal.

Board chair Anna Harrison said club representatives, Wheels’ organisers, council staff and elected members had met on site in recent months to work through how the event could fit alongside existing users.

“There’s been lots and lots of conversations, lots of romping around at the racecourse,” she said.

She said potential clashes with horse events had been discussed, with no equestrian fixtures scheduled to coincide with the proposed event dates.

Gordon said the Wheels group had indicated it expected to run five events, held every two years.

He said the revised layout for the reserve would result in the removal of one proposed sports field, but this was “not seen as material in the future supply of sports grounds” and would not prevent future sports development at the location.

The wider council will now vote on the proposal, with final approval needed before the event can be held at the racecourse over Easter next year.

Read more: Wheels at Wānaka eyes Cromwell move

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