Councillors have given the green light to constructing an 18-hole mini golf course at EA Networks Centre.

The course will be built on an existing grassed area on the northern side of the carpark and with a maximum budget of $500,000.

Mayor Neil Brown said the idea for a mini golf course was raised during consultation and discussion of the EA Networks Centre masterplan earlier this year.

“Since then, staff have been investigating the details of the project and working with a specialist designer to come up with some concepts. It will be a great attraction for the town and an addition to the sport and recreation centre area.”

Money for the mini golf project was tagged during the Long Term Plan process earlier this year, and will come from the Reserves Contributions account, as opposed to being funded by general rates.

Initial concept drawings for the mini golf course include themed holes, with features drawn from the Ashburton District – like Staveley Ice Rink, Mount Hutt, Lake Hood, Rakaia’s salmon sculpture, the town clock and the agriculture sector.

Final design work will include how some accessible features can be incorporated into the course. The layout concept plan included a number of holes being built on the flat but some holes would be placed on the embankment with small terraces.

The mini golf course is designed to be free for golfers who have their own equipment and a low cost activity for those who need to hire clubs and balls from the EA Networks Centre. There is no ball capture on the final hole.

Mayor Brown and Cr Leen Braam will work alongside staff to finalise the project scope and design.

After detailed design has been completed and contractors signed up, the project is expected to take 12-14 weeks to build.