Deerstalkers complete shift from erosion risk
South Canterbury Deerstalkers’ Association’s building has been moved to safer ground, but the organisation is still looking to raise over $100,000 towards improvements.
The association decided to move from the erosion-prone coastline of Patiti Point to an area several hundred metres away where it plans to link with the Combined Cadet Units South Canterbury with a view to sharing facilities.
The building was moved to the South St site last Thursday and McCarthy said the association had been talking to the navy, air and army cadets organisation about the next stage.
‘‘We were absolutely rapt, it couldn’t have come at a better time,’’ McCarthy said as the building had become a target for vandals over the past few months, with several thousands dollars worth of damage incurred, while it awaited its final move from the Caledonian Sports Ground.
McCarthy said the new site will protect it from vandals, but said the association had ‘‘exhausted all its revenue’’ in the moving and upgrading of the facilities.
‘‘The place requires new toilets and a working kitchen area. All up, that could cost us over $100,000,’’ he said.
‘‘But we’ve had some amazing offers from various organisations. Geraldine Glass repaired the damaged windows for free, which saved us about $3000.’’
McCarthy said it would go out to community trusts for funding as soon as they start their new funding rounds, which is usually around April.
‘‘We’ve been over the moon with the level of support it’s got so far, but we know there will be a lot of work ahead.’’
‘‘We would like to think we would have the work done in June or July. A lot will depend on whether we get funding during that time.
‘‘Various organisations have been great in looking after us by providing materials for foundations. We got a substantial discount for the materials.’’
South Canterbury Pistol Club president Graeme Wyatt, whose organisation’s building is alongside the old SCDA location, said they had no plans to move away from the Patiti Point coastline.
Research by Canterbury University students for Environment Canterbury revealed that while the erosion at Patiti Point had stalled over the past year, it was still a major risk because of the coastal storms which had battered the coastline over the past decade.