Holiday park to be run by 'outsider'

A private operator is likely to take over the Hastings Top 10 Holiday Park after the Hastings District Council decided it would be better run by an outside business.
The council would still retain ownership of the land at Windsor Park, but believed letting it to a private owner and operator would reduce the costs of running the site to its ratepayers.
A review of the park was completed in October 2009 and improvements were made over the summer with the intention of putting the park up for tender after the 2009/10 summer season.
The council met behind closed doors on April 20 to discuss changes to the ownership and operational structure of the park.
Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule said only three councils ran Top 10 Holiday Parks across New Zealand which suggested the operations were better run by the private sector.
"Council has made ongoing improvements at the park," he said. "A review has shown there are significant opportunities for an operator who is willing to invest and grow the business."
Mr Yule said there was a shortage of "holiday park-experience" accommodation across Hawke's Bay and the council would only let the park if the "right operator is found".
Three local real estate agents provided proposals for the contract to market the business for tender on behalf of the council and Bayleys were selected as the successful agent.
The council expected to be able to select an operator by September 2010.