Boaties and other users of Lake Karapiro should have a new beach to relax on soon.
Casual visitors who increasingly find themselves locked out of lake access through a full calendar of events at Karapiro, near Hamilton, will be happier when the new piece of "beach" opens at the northern endof the lake in about a year.
About 3km north of the rowing tower at Lake Karapiro is a pristine piece of lake foreshore where Waipa District Council bought farmland four years ago. The water is quite shallow for about 30m out, making it a safe, sandy area for recreational use.
"It was really the last good beach access to the lake and council bought it as a strategic purchase for the future," said Waipa Mayor Alan Livingston.
The huge increase in lake use at Karapiro Domain for competitive sport meant Waipa had had to look at bringing development of the area forward.
The site is known as Gecks Beach but Mr Livingston is looking for a more catchy name.
