Residents make the most of gift
Residents at Waita¯ rere Beach now have the opportunity to learn basketball from a professional coach at their local park, thanks to Dunkers basketball coach Mel Chandler and an upgrade to facilities at Waita¯ rere Beach Domain.
Mr Chandler donated two basketball hoops and back boards, and worked with Horowhenua District Council, local resident Neil Perfect and the Waita¯ rere Beach Progressive and Ratepayers Association to have them installed at the domain.
The council erected two poles in the tennis courts to enable the hoops to go up, and arranged line-marking of the courts to turn them into a multi-purpose surface that could be used for either basketball or tennis.
The poles and hoops were installed at the end of July and line marking was completed the following week.
Parks and Property Officer Rachel Carr said Council was delighted to support the initiative as part of a broader programme of planned upgrades to the domain under the Waita¯ rere Beach Domain Development Plan. Other upgrades covered in the plan included planting in the area behind the tennis courts and gravelling of the path that links the domain to Taonui Street.
“This is a good example of how Council and the community can work together to make a positive difference that benefits everyone,” she said. “Progressing the development plan for the domain has been a real partnership between Council and the Waita¯ rere Beach Progressive and Ratepayers Association.”
Mr Chandler said he wanted to offer the Waita¯ rere Beach community a positive and enjoyable pastime.
“It’s important to give people opportunities for recreation in their local area,” he said.
“I wanted to give people in Waita¯ rere Beach the chance to get out, exercise and learn to play basketball — and have a lot of fun while they’re doing it.”
With the equipment installed, Mr Chandler begins children’s coaching sessions after school on Wednesdays.