Football’s family gathering

With construction of the Waimea Dam now 85 per cent complete, Waimea Water Limited (WWL) expects the reservoir to be closed and ready for filling towards the end of this month.

Project costs, however, continue to rise; the latest forecast provided by WWL in its Mid-Year Report, released yesterday, shows a further escalation of $3m, which moves the total very close to $200m.

WWL CEO Mike Scott said he was disappointed about the cost increase but, given the challenges faced over the last year, noted it could have been worse had it not been for the efforts made his team to minimise the impact of cost pressures. “We have worked hard to absorb increased costs within the existing budget of $195m forecast in June 2022. Unfortunately, high mechanical, river diversion and the contractor’s associated time-related costs have all contributed to the current cost forecast of $198m.”

Football family from across the region gathered at Tākaka’s Rec Park Centre last Saturday to take part in the annual Battle for the Bay tournament.

But before the fun began, all those present took time out to talk about the importance of looking out for each other, and specifically to remember Golden Bay Association Football Club’s Roland Muntwyler, aka “Roli the Goalie”.

The sombre moment of remembrance underlined the serious purpose of the day –generating funds for the Hope Is My Homeboy suicide prevention initiative, and raising awareness of, and reducing the stigma around, mental health issues.

A total of nine teams were scheduled to play in the competition, but that number dropped to eight when FC Nelson failed to turn up. The remaining sides played a series of 30-minute round-robin fixtures in one of two pools, followed by a final showdown between the two pool winners.

The first matches kicked off at 9.30am, and the action continued more or less non-stop until the final whistle blew at around 6pm.

In between matches, Hope Is My Homeboy co-founder and Richmond team member Rutu King-Hazel spoke to The GB Weekly about her fashion label initiative and the cause it advances. Rutu set up the business 10 years ago to honour her brother Whero who took his own life, and she recently relaunched the label with its message to “check on your homies”.

Although, not exclusively, those targeted are predominantly men. “It’s a lot harder for them to express themselves,” says Rutu, who has another simple but important message: “Let us know if you’re not OK.”

She believes sport, such as football, can have a very positive effect on mental health. “I moved to Nelson last year and started playing for Richmond. It’s definitely helped me.”

The regular skipper of Motueka’s women’s team was very positive about the pre-season fundraiser. “It’s awesome – a very worthwhile cause,” said Tracey Heaven. “It’s also a good opportunity to get a foot on the ball.”

NEW LISTINGS ARE COMING IN ALL THE TIME!

The seventeenth and final match of the day was the play-off between Motueka and Nelson Suburbs. It turned out to be a highly entertaining game with both sides playing some fast and tidy football, despite visibly tired legs. Suburbs, however, increasingly dominated possession and created a number of chances but could not beat Motueka’s inform keeper. Three minutes in to the second half, Suburbs finally broke the deadlock when their striker rose to head a well-aimed corner kick into the back of Motueka’s net. Ten minutes later, with little time left to play, the referee awarded penalty to the Nelson side, and it was the same striker who converted, smashing the ball past the diving keeper to give Suburbs the victory.

Prizegiving and a raffle draw followed, and when all proceeds were totted up, the event had raised a total of $7,500.

“It was a fantastic day,” said GBAFC president Phil Smith on Monday. “Golden Bay always delivers and always punches above its weight.”

More photos on page 10

Mike said that, apart from the ongoing legal disputes, he was confident about final phase. “With the project now 85 per cent complete, we have a good handle on the costs and remaining work, other than for the risk of contract and adjudication decisions being unfavourably overturned in arbitration, which is expected to conclude in the next few years. The contractor continues to make new claims, which presents further cost uncertainty.”

If all goes according to plan, the reservoir will be ready for filling in late March, and the permanent mechanical, electrical and control works will be completed and commissioned while it does so. However, Mike warned of a possible delay to the fill depending on the contractor’s progress with its quality assurance documentation as required for regulatory approval.

But paperwork aside, Mike sees the dam being completed and the reservoir full by October. “Work remains on track to complete the project in late spring 2023.”

To access WWL’s Mid-Year Report go to: https://waimeawater.nz/