Finished rec centre cause for celebration

Takaka’s new recreation facility has moved a step closer to reality.

A celebration of the completion of the multi-use building acknowledged the construction team who worked for nine months.

The outdoor netball courts and a permanent carpark are all that is now needed to complete the new centre.

An opening gala was held on Saturday night at the new facility, and more than 200 members of the community attended.

Among them included clubs and groups, farmers and businesses, Gibbons Construction and its subcontractors, and council and Golden Bay community board.

Golden Bay Shared Recreation Facility funding manager Sara Chapman said it was also a ‘‘thank you’’ to the community who had supported the project for seven years.

‘‘This was the final fundraiser to reach our community target of one million dollars. The community of Golden Bay has done it again,’’ she said.

The guests decorated their tables with props that were ‘‘creative and amusing’’.

‘‘They ranged from sports installations and memorabilia to all things milky; tractors; funny money; boots and gumboots and balls galore.

‘‘Definitely down-to-earth. No ties or tiaras,’’ she said.

Guest speaker Phil Gifford, broadcaster, journalist and author, told true stories about some well-known sportsmen and women.

‘‘He has covered every rugby world cup since 1987, so he has tales old-and-new.

‘‘He has written biographies on Todd Blackadder and Valerie Adams. He started with some witty observations from the letters in the local paper.

‘‘He made everyone laugh loudly,’’ she said.

The building’s new clubrooms and meeting room would allow for large and small gatherings, events, business conferences and training programmes.

There was also a large commercial kitchen, bridge and squash club rooms, and a basketball court.

‘‘Sport and recreation will increase because of the NBS stadium and the opportunity for all-year activities,’’ she said.

‘‘[Also] because of the ability for several codes to be playing in one place on one day.

‘‘That is what young families have asked for.’’

GBSRF chairman Dean Lund said the committee felt ‘‘relieved, happy, and sad’’ to have finished the building.

‘‘The possibilities for the facility are endless.

‘‘We’ve got a vision to put in a climbing wall; we even thought we could do indoor cricket and a hockey field.’’

Tasman district mayor Richard Kempthorne said he was ‘‘extremely pleased for Golden Bay’’.

‘‘It’s going to marvellous for the community, and of course the young people,’’ he said.

‘‘Unfortunately, the issues with the grandstand are holding it up.

‘‘Hopefully, the parties involved can have a sensible discussion about relocating it, so the community can actually start using the new centre.’’

Winter sports pre-trials begin on Saturday, March 11.