My Account
By Rod Cheeseman
Grand plans to transform the derelict old Leigh pub site in the centre of the town into motels, a function centre, a campervan park and a weekly market, were unveiled this month.
Alan and Jasmine Macdonald bought the site last year after buying a bach opposite the pub. They recently moved up from Wellington and are planning to revive the town by attracting more visitors, especially in the quieter winter months.
Work on the interior fit-out of the existing hotel is underway, which will create five motel rooms. The bars in the building will also be turned into a large function centre.
“We want to get away from the stigma of a concrete block hotel and get more into funky and stylish coastal chic,” Mr Macdonald says.
“We have already started the internal strip-out, so the motel units will hopefully be ready by the beginning of spring.”
The couple’s plans do not include a licensed bar area, preferring to focus on providing the function room venues.
“We’ve already got the Leigh Bar and the Sawmill, so we are covered in that area. We believe it’s far better for Leigh because it will bring people to the town for a corporate retreat, anniversary, weddings and those sorts of things. They’ll stay and spend money.”
The couple also propose converting the car park into a Sunday market, which they hope will complement, but outgrow, the Matakana markets. The market will centre on seafood and local produce, with various arts and crafts in an undercover area.
They hope it will encourage more day-trippers and weekenders to stay on in the area, complementing the local tourist hot spots and keep the town thriving through the winter months.
The plans are still at the concept stage with building consents yet to be approved.
The proposed campervan park will cater for up to 15 vehicles, subject to consent, but the Macdonald’s are keen to reassure locals it won’t cause a disturbance, particularly as they live directly opposite.
“There is a perception that a campervan park would be noisy, but the type of people that travel around New Zealand in campervans are older tourists or the semi-retired. They are early to bed and have a code of conduct that they all adhere to.”
The development requires a costly commercial sewerage system to be installed, which will require a 2500m2 planted disposal field.
“One of the biggest problems before was it didn’t have a decent sewerage system so we are getting a state-of-the-art system going in,” Mr Macdonald says.
Landscaping for the project is already underway.
The proposals met with general approval from locals after they were put to them at a community meeting earlier this month.
Project draughtsman Chris Calder says the work on the hotel has been long awaited.
“It’s been broken into, squatted in, trashed and abused,” Mr Calder says. “Plenty of people have looked into buying it so we are very happy that someone is actually going to do something with it that will benefit the community.”
“I can still remember my last beer in there 10 years ago and it was pretty run down then!”
The couple is keen to keep the lines of communication open and welcome consultation with anyone who has concerns.
