New mural for Leamington Domain

A splash of creativity is set to transform a wall at Leamington Domain after Waipā District Council’s Strategic Planning and Policy Committee approved the painting of a mural on Tuesday.

The work of art will cost $12,000 to create and will cover a 26m long by 2.2m high existing structure screening storage for the Cambridge Lions Club miniature trains on Leamington Domain.

Waipā District Council director Museums and Heritage Anne Blyth said the wall was situated on the open space and has previously been subject to tagging and graffiti.

“The aim of the mural project is to provide a dual benefit, through softening the hard landscaping and deterring potential tagging and graffiti.

“The mural will also provide the park users with a community-based artwork including depictions of native fauna and flora overlaying a map of the Waikato River.”

The mural was endorsed by the Cambridge Community Board on 3 November following an earlier meeting between the Board chair and Cambridge Model Engineering Society representative to share the proposal and receive feedback.

Blyth said that last year the Cambridge Lions Club funded and installed storage for the Cambridge Model Engineering Society adjacent to the existing track at Leamington Domain and a screen fence was installed as part of the project.

The proposed mural will include multiple ply cut outs adhered to the wall which will show local native flora and fauna set against the background of an historic map of the Waikato River and the land surrounding it.

“The mural is designed to reduce the impact of the built structures on the open space, with part of the mural black and white with light brown colours to help achieve this.

“The proposed landscape painting depicting Maungatautari will be in full colour providing a contrast.”

The full cost of the project is $14,000, and will be funded by the Parks operational budgets and the artwork is planned to be commissioned for January, Blythe said.