Get rewarded at Challenge Opawa
The modern service station is the corner dairy of the 21st century, a crosspoint where all members of the community can come to get everything from hot coffees and pies to the latest news as they fill up on fuel.
Challenge Opawa is an especially convenient stop-off for its locals, being open 24 hours a day just off Brougham St. A vibrant residential neighbourhood lies to one side and there is a busy industrial zone on the other.
Manager Stuart McIntosh says the whole team at Challenge Opawa enjoys the relationship with the community, which he reckons is why it’s such a fun place to work, and why so many familiar faces keep stopping by.
Recently, a new rewards programme called ‘‘My Challenge’’ was started and includes raising funds for local communities as one of its core aims.
For Challenge Opawa, this means helping Opawa School build a new turf cricket pitch. The station is already a longtime sponsor of the school’s newsletter, as well as of the local bowling club.
‘‘The My Challenge rewards programme lets you choose to donate your fuel discount to Opawa School or use it. You’ll also start earning points that you can redeem for products in the store,’’ Stuart says.
‘‘A fuel discount of six cents a litre can become six cents per litre for the school. It might seem like a small amount on its own but with lots of people donating, it could add up to a lot.’’
To sign up, register on the My Challenge website – mychallenge.co.nz – and select Opawa School on the site’s ‘‘Community groups’’ page.
Then pop in to Challenge Opawa to buy your fuel and collect your My Challenge card. Remember to sign up with the same email address both times, Stuart says.
Points then start adding up with each dollar spent at Challenge Opawa – on top of the funds going to the school.
A store at the service station is designed to appeal to all ages and appetites with a selection of hot foods, sandwiches, rolls and cold drinks. There is often a staff member behind the counter serving up a cuppa from barista coffee machine.
Challenge Opawa opened 15 years ago at the city end of Opawa Rd and has always had a diverse group of regulars, including families, workers, taxi drivers and people driving by on the Brougham St arterial route.
Super Gold Card holders receive a discount of 15 cents per litre, and there is an in-house loyalty scheme for gas refills or coffees, wherein every 10th purchase is free. People with completed cards then go into a monthly prize draw.
For fast refuelling of commercial diesel vehicles, agricultural equipment and trucks, a highflow diesel pump is available on the large forecourt.
People using that could be of great help to Opawa School in meeting their goal, Stuart says, adding that every little bit counts – so sign up today.
Challenge Opawa is open 24 hours a day at 11 Opawa Rd, Waltham. Phone 03 379 5549. For terms and conditions of the My Challenge rewards programme, visit mychallenge.co.nz.
A fuel discount of six cents a litre can become six cents per litre for the school . . . with lots of people donating it could add up to a lot.
Stuart McIntosh Challenge Opawa manager