- Friday 30 July 2010
- Subscriptions
- Photo Sales
- Competitions
Volunteers notch goal with new hockey home
A small army of volunteers has built a new Wairarapa hockey pavilion _ and slashed their club's costs.
Wairarapa Hockey Association president Lyndsay Annear said the new, two-storey building at Clareville Showgrounds would have cost $850,000 if it wasn't for the dedication of crews of volunteers _ up to 90 people a day _ who gave their time in a series of working bees.
The club received funding of $450,000 for the new clubrooms, but it might come in even below that price Mr Annear said, thanks to many businesses who had supplied materials at cost price, and because all the labour was voluntary.
Plans were set in motion for the new building in August 2008 when funding was confirmed for a second hockey turf at the complex.
''It's happened very quickly really. We were doing this as funding allowed in three stages; block work, getting it closed in and then fitted.
''But as it turned out we've got funding in place for all of the building, except carpet, tables, chairs and appliances.''
In the first big three-day working bee before Christmas the team erected the foundations and block work. Last weekend they put up the top storey, roof and decks and got the building closed up and windows put in.
Mr Annear said volunteers are welcome at the next working bee April 9 to 11, which will include putting in batts, and gibbing, plastering, painting and finishing.
''It's just been a fantastic community effort.
When the building is completed it will have two decks, four changing rooms, a lounge, kitchen and a bar area, an umpires room, office and storage areas.
Club executive officer Kelly Govan said the new clubrooms would benefit many Wairarapa people as well as attracting bigger hockey events and more visiting teams.
''We're hoping that there's going to be lots of other community groups that will be able to use the pavilion as well,'' she said.
''And we've just confirmed that the New Zealand national under-15 tournament will be held here in July, and that wouldn't have happened if we hadn't had this facility.
''It will be huge for the region, because with 20 teams coming for a week, it brings an awful lot of people here,'' she said.
The team hopes the new building will be ready for the start of hockey season in May.
