What do you want Ashburton District to look like in 2045? That was the question Council posed to local school children recently and on Monday they came to tell us their visions.

Youth Forums have always been popular and this one was no different – students from nine schools told us what they’d like to see, and Councillors asked lots of questions and commended them on their research and ideas.

Mini golf was suggested several times so it was great to be able to tell them Council already had plans for an outdoor course at EA Networks Centre. There were meatier items raised too, like the quality of our water, climate change and even stormwater.

Students asked about progress on the second bridge and about trying to reduce delays to driver licence testing, and Councillors asked in return what they thought about issues like vaping and public transport.

I want to thank those schools who came along: Ashburton Intermediate, Ashburton Christian School, Ashburton College, Netherby, Borough, Fairton, Wakanui, Longbeach and Hinds.

In 20 years, many of these young people will be young leaders, ratepayers and some could even be representing their communities as elected councillors or members of a community board. They will be using the sports fields, roads and facilities we are building now, and thinking about if they will be fit for purpose for the next 20 years.

It is important that they feel comfortable expressing their views because many of the decisions Council makes are for the long term, and so the interaction was valuable for all.

Two other events on Monday had Ashburton buzzing and it was great to see so many people walking along East Street and soaking up the sales, and the sun.

East Street was closed for Ashburton Market Day, which has taken over from Boulevard Day on South Canterbury Anniversary Day. There were plenty of visitors looking for a bargain, or to buy lunch from one of the food vendors.

Just across the highway, Bookarama had opened in the sports hall on Tancred Street and many book-lovers headed there to fill their bags with reading material.

With the sun shining on Monday, it was great to see people moving around the whole CBD, browsing shops as well as the busy market, and sitting in Baring Square East, enjoying the atmosphere.