News 4
Ashburton Guardian
Friday, February 21, 2014
www.guardianonline.co.nz
■ EA NETWORKS CENTRE
Water slide included in annual plan By Sue NewmaN
Sue.n@theguardian.co.nz
The future of the Ashburton aquatic centre’s water slide project is now in the hands of the community. Ashburton District councillors yesterday voted to add costs for the water slide proposal in the EA Networks Centre into next year’s budget, but it will be up to the community whether the project flies or fails. All up costs for the project could be as high as $2.5 million if two top-line water slides are installed, but the council is adamant it won’t be footing all of the bill. Councillors voted seven to six
Neil Brown
to let the project go through the annual process so the community would have a say. Part of the deal, however, will be that a share of the money needed for the water slides will
be raised by the community through the Ashburton Stadium Trust. By taking the project to the community through the annual plan, the upfront costs and ongoing costs would be spelled out, said councillor Neil Brown. “We then need to hear from the people of Ashburton if they want this hydroslide. Of course they want it but do they want to pay for it. With all the costs there they can decide.” Mr Brown wanted to tag the stadium trust’s contribution to the project at $1 million but councillor Don McLeod wanted formal discussions with the trust before an amount for community fundraising was set.
RATES RISING As the council begins its budget discussions for next year’s annual plan it is starting with an anticipated rate increase of 7.4 per cent. While the costs around the EA Networks Stadium are built in to next year’s budget (about $183 for each property in the Ashburton District), there is no provision made to pay for water slides. However, for each extra $1 million the council borrows, another $6.45 will be added to every annual rates bill to cover interest and debt repayment. This year’s rate increase burden will be carried largely by urban ratepayers, with their rates likely to rise by between 9 and 10 per cent.
Two-year-old greyhound Quedrago (aka David to his friends) with Hannah n Henry Preschool staff Danielle Rice and Louise Currie, and four-year-olds Chloe Gorton, Myles Watson, Ruby McKay and Unieqee Heke are raising money for Relay for Life. Photo tetsuro MitoMo 190214-tM-029
■ CANCER FUNDRAISER
Preschool gets behind Relay for Life By ToNi williamS
toni.w@theguardian.co.nz
A group from Hannah n Henry’s Preschool will walk alongside the likes of Angels of Hope, Fairy Good Idea, Hawaiian Hulagens, Holy Walkamolies and Slip Slop Slappers next month in Timaru, all to support the same cause. The Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life. Hannah n Henry Preschool team captain Cherie Robinson said it was a worthwhile cause
they were able to support. So far 67 teams from Mid and South Canterbury had registered. The preschool had nine teachers and supporters lined up to walk the overnight event but more would be welcomed. If anyone wanted to get involved they could contact the preschool. However, the main focus of the team was to raise money. “We really want people to help us with cash donations.”
The preschool team fundraising effort had been aided with a take of winnings from two year old Greyhound, Quedrago, aka David to his friends, trained/ owned by preschool teacher Suzanne Fagan. Nicknamed Quedrago ‘Relay for Life dog’ on the track, 40 per cent of his winnings over the month of February was going to support the cause. A couple of wins had raised $800 so far. The preschool had also been
supported by Ashburton businesses with a range of products. Staff would hit the streets to raise extra money raffling off those products. The $2 tickets were on sale now. People wanting to support the team can go to relayforlife. org.nz and follow the links to support Hannah n Henry Preschool at the Timaru event. The relay takes place March 8 and 9 at Caroline Bay, Timaru.
Trust says there’s more funds out there By Sue NewmaN
Sue.n@theguardian.co.nz
More than $5 million has been pulled from the Ashburton community for the EA Networks Centre but fundraisers are confident there is more to come. Yesterday Ashburton Stadium Trust fundraising chair Chris Robertson nailed his flag to the fundraising mast when he told the Ashburton District Council he believed his team could raise $1 million towards water slides for the complex’s aquatic centre. Councillors voted to let what could be a $2.5 million project become part of the council’s budget for next year on the condition that the trust raised a yetto-be decided amount towards the project. By doing this they have thrown the project out to the community. When the draft annual plan is released for public comment people will have an opportunity to indicate whether they support the council moving ahead with the project, or not. While the council is taking a cautious approach and using community consultation to set parameters around the project, Mr Robertson said he was concerned that if fundraising did not start until after the annual plan process was completed in June, it would be too late for the water slides to be in place when the centre opened in mid 2015. “I know I’m a bull at a gate. We need a date rather than a fundraising campaign that drags on. “We need to get into this very fast and we need to get into it now, not in July. The community wants this,” he said. Mayor Angus McKay wasn’t buying into the bid for a speedy decision. “We need to consult with the community on this,” Mr McKay said. Councillors will now meet with the stadium trust to determine an achievable fundraising figure. When the draft annual plan is released for community consultation it will contain both up front and ongoing costs for the water slide project and their impact on rates.