FIRE REPORT
The new $1.6 million sports and recreation pavilion in Omokoroa is on target for completion in September. The project, contracted to Watts & Hughes Construction started in February, then work closed down in late March due to the Covid19-lockdown. But the project team were back on site in alert level 1.
Project manager Andy Dix says everything is going to plan with the programme on schedule and on target to be completed on September 11. He says the project has been well managed by the site team with full credit to site manager Garry Freemantle, who’s been on the job. The lift, which Andy believes has come from Germany, should be going in at the moment and the exterior scaffolding is due to be removed this week.
“Then people will be able to really see the building. It’s going to be a good asset for the community — we’ve already received good feedback from people in the community.”
The two level building will provide changing facilities and toilets for men, women and match officials plus three big storage units on the ground floor. Upstairs, a large activity space will cater for indoor groups, alongside a big kitchen and social/dining area. Access is via central stairs or an internal lift.
On July 10 the Omokoroa Sport and Recreation Society committee invited Western Bay mayor Garry Webber, funders and group members to a ‘walk through’ of the new facility, which includes council’s service centre and library.
Society chairman Richard Gerrish says it exceeds expectations. Omokoroa Bridge Club members David Luxton, secretary and Bill Cahill were also “impressed”. David says he is looking foward to having a permanent home.
The bridge club has 54 members and has been as high as 60. Bill says they are constantly recruting and training.
Maureen Taylor has been running Keep on your Feet sessions for two years at the old pavilion. She says at the moment it’s slippery and not accessible.
“My peeps are going to love it . . . the access, warmth, light and the lift.”
Elderly members will no longer have to cross the gravel driveway and climb stairs to access the existing 30 year-old uninsulated pavilion, that has no heating or internal toilets.
When you look at how people get stuck in and the community get behind it, then TECT get behind it, can make things work,” says Garry Webber. “With sports and the library here, for young kids in the community this does all of those things. It’s as good as it gets.”
Vicky Knell, who is on the Omokoroa Sports and Recreation Society committee, says there’s been lots of Bingo nights raising funds to get here and they still need to raise $120,000 for the interior fitout.
“This facility is incredibly exciting for the community. It’s the cherry on top of the pie, with the skatepath, the playground, the facility and partnering with the Council and library, it’s all come at the perfect time.”
Up to 20 groups will use the facility — including the Mah Jong Club, which has been a huge monetary supporter, Omokoroa Bridge Club (given funds from tournaments), football, tennis, athletics, netball, Rippa rugby, indoor bowls, table tennis, cricket, Zumba and Tae Kwan Do.
Omokoroa residents have contributed almost $115,000, while the remaining money has been sourced from funding agencies such as TECT, Lotteries, Western Bay Council, the Omokoroa Community Board, Wright Family Foundation, BayTrust and NZ Community Trust.
Five callouts for firefighters from the Omokoroa Volunteer Fire Brigade included two motor vehicle accidents (MVAs), during the last fortnight.
The first was on State Highway 2 by Snodgrass Rd, a car over a bank. The second was on Tuesday, to a head-on crash between two cars on Whakamarama Rd. No serious injuries at either incident. On Sunday, July 12 a call to a fire on Motohua Island was investigated further and found to be a controlled burn. Two alarm activations at Pahoia School had Omokoroa firefighters on site within minutes. On both occasions, an alarm fault was found.
The First Responders were busy during the same period responding to both of the MVAs. On July 8 the team responded to three calls.
With the continuous bad weather, drivers need to be extra vigilant and careful, slippery roads and limited vision can be a volatile mixture while driving.
— Omokoroa Chief Fire Officer, Ian Blunt