Save the grandstand

I amsure the general public are sick of hearing about the fight we, the people of Golden Bay, have on our hands to stop the Tasman District Council’s vote to demolish our iconic, proven perfectly sound, grandstand.

Its heritage value was never taken into account, nor the family histories of the donation of the land, the construction of the grandstand and the history of its use. Even our military left from this site on their way to World War I.

The TDC have reported that there has not been the public support for keeping the grandstand.

The people of Golden Bay believed that common sense would prevail, and did not see the need to ‘‘make a noise’’ – until now.

A prime example of a city mentality not understanding the needs of a rural town. Or, indeed, that Golden Bay has a greater elder aged population than most communities, which is continually growing with more retirees shifting to the bay.

The demolition means the ageing population has not been considered at all. Where are people supposed to sit out of the weather – the sun and rain? It is laughable to see a temporary stand set up at the edge of the field and in front of the grandstand.

Unfortunately, the TDC has been fed a version of what a select few wanted.

Shame on you, TDC. Have you forgotten we are ratepayers too? Why have we not been given a vote on this?

Gillian Cunningham

Takaka, June 6