A community open day for residents of Temple View, Hamilton and other interested persons is scheduled for Thursday 12 July 2012.
The aim of the open day is to invite the community to review and discuss progress being made by the Envision New Zealand team and its consultants, and for community members to provide any feedback they might wish to offer.
The Envision New Zealand team is a group of individuals from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who are working with local residents, Hamilton City, and others to identify development opportunities for the Hamilton suburb.
"The Church’s principal goals are to protect the sanctity of the Hamilton New Zealand Temple and its surroundings, and to generate post-Church College vibrancy for Temple View," according to Envision New Zealand team member Paul Coward.
"We are working with the City and the local community to identify what are the best ways, over the longer term, to develop Church-owned land around the temple precinct in a manner that is economically, environmentally, socially and culturally sustainable."
"Just as the Church did over 50 years ago on this very land, we are now looking at what is best for the next 50 years," he said.
| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
“Options we are exploring,” he says, “would help us to preserve and display cultural heritage, stimulate economic development, develop opportunities for additional residential space, improve Church meetinghouse facilities, and enhance community resources."
"An educational component, and a recreational and camping facility on the Church’s 'Hamon's Bush' property are also being considered.”
Attendees at the open day will learn more and will be able to share suggestions with Envision New Zealand team members.
The open day will take place next Thursday from 3.00pm to 7.00pm in the Matthew Cowley Administration Building, Temple View, Hamilton.
Those who cannot attend the open day but who have a question or suggestion can write to EnvisionNZ@ldschurch.org.