Saturday, December 15, 2007
Good morning.
It is always a pleasure to be in Wainuiomata and especially today as we gather here to celebrate the opening of the new Wainuiomata Pool spa.
The Council, and I am sure the community, welcome this latest addition to the already wonderful facilities at the complex. This includes four heated outdoor pools, waterslide, mini-golf and areas to barbeque.
The Pool has been an integral part of the Wainuiomata community for the past 40 years - a place to exercise, swim and have fun with friends and family.
It is a community asset and as such should be used and, more importantly, enjoyed by everyone: young and old, regardless of physical condition.
The spa is expected to attract more adults, seniors and people with disabilities to use the facilities, as it did for Huia Pool when it installed a spa and experienced a 21 per cent increase in adult patronage.
Benefits it will bring include therapeutic relief for aches and pains that are part of getting older, as well as offering a social environment for people to meet.
I want to pay tribute to the Wainuiomata Civic Charitable Trust for funding the cost of the spa. Originally called the Wainuiomata Baths Fund, it was set up in 1954 to raise money for the Wainuiomata Pool.
Since then, it has been closely linked to the pool through fundraising activities, fun days and funding of equipment and facilities. In more recent years this has extended to raising funds for wider community projects in the valley such as the redevelopment of Hugh Sinclair Park.
Earlier this year the Trust wrote to Council saying it was winding up and wished to donate the balance of funds for a spa pool to cater for elderly and people with disabilities at the Wainuiomata Pool.
It was a wonderful gesture from the Trust and a fitting legacy that will be remembered with a plaque to be unveiled shortly to commemorate today’s occasion.
On behalf of the Council, I thank everyone – past and present – involved with the Trust.
In closing, I want to say the Council is committed to providing high quality aquatic services for its residents. This pool is one of six in Hutt City, more per head than Wellington City. Facilities like this one are essential to the quality of life for residents, and help make Wainuiomata and the rest of Hutt City a great place to live.
I commend the staff for the great job they do, and wish them and all of you a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and peaceful new year.
Thank you.