New community centre opened
SPEAKERS at Saturday’s opening of Arrowtown’s new community and sporting hub saluted those who came on board the long journey to build it.
The new home of the Arrowtown Rugby Club and Arrowtown Scout Group, but also open to other community groups, the $2.35 million Arrowtown Community Centre has been 12 years in the making.
‘‘It’s been a long, hard road to find the perfect clubrooms,’’ trust chairman Murray Bennett, who also designed the building, said.
The project was ‘‘the brain child and passion’’ of Arrowtown Rugby Club president and trust secretary Simon Spark, Mr Bennett added.
‘‘He encouraged trustees to break down walls to get the project off the ground, gained support of community groups, gained funder support [and] was involved with consent, right through to what we see today.’’
Mr Spark in turn praised Mr Bennett, who had not charged for much his time and had been a believer from day one, Mr Spark said.
‘‘It has been a long process and, yes, very frustrating at some points, and we learnt, early on, that politics is a different game.’’
Despite some early impatience with the Queenstown Lakes District Council, the project would not have happened without its support, both financially and behind the scenes, he said.
He also thanked funders, who had enthusiastically supported the project ‘‘when Murray and I were maybe getting a wee bit tired’’.
The new clubrooms would be ‘‘a wee bit daunting’’ for the rugby club, which had never had a facility it could be proud of.
‘‘We can actually shower inside the building without having to walk 40 metres in the open, among women and children, with a towel wrapped round you,’’ Mr Spark said.
Queenstown Mayor Jim Boult, who cut the ribbon, thanked everyone who had got the project off the ground.
‘‘I have no doubt that this beautiful building that you now have has been worth the wait.
‘‘Enjoy your new home, look after it, and be sure to remember the journey that it took to get here.’’