Big weekend ahead as recreation centre opened | Wairarapa News | Local News in Wairarapa

MASTERTON'S new Recreation Centre will be officially opened this Saturday and a weekend of activities has been planned to celebrate the opening of one of Masterton's largest projects.

Masterton Mayor Bob Francis has issued an open invitation for people to attend the official part of the opening ceremony, which starts at 11am outside the main Dixon Street entrance to the new centre.

"People have been looking forward to this for a very long time and now they will have the chance to see exactly what has been going on at the new complex over the past year and a half," Mr Francis said.

This weekend's celebrations will include an official segment, where Mr Francis will be joined by representatives from two of the centre's largest sponsors ? Trust House Charitable Trust and Genesis Energy.

Entertainment during the ceremony will include the Masterton District Brass Band and a kapa haka group, as well as several Masterton school pupils performing the "big splash" as they leap into the new pools.

Immediately after the ceremony, members of the public will have a chance to walk through the new complex free of charge. The centre will then be open for regular use from 1.30pm.

Sport Wairarapa has organised mini-ball and basketball displays and activities in the War Memorial Stadium during Saturday afternoon, culminating in a national league game between two of the countries top basketball teams ? the Hawks (from Hawke's Bay) and the Manawatu Jets.

Tickets for the match are $7 for adults and $5 for children (up to and including intermediate school pupils) and can be purchased at the Masterton District Council or as door sales on Saturday.

Wairarapa secondary school basketball championship teams from Kuranui and Wairarapa colleges will play as a curtain raiser for the big game.

Further celebrations for the opening of the Recreation Centre will take place on Sunday.

Centre managers CLM have organised a "Family Sunday" starting at 10am, with plans to teach people the Maori haka and poi.

Reception manager at CLM Kim Siemonek is encouraging families to bring along a picnic and enjoy a big day out.

In addition to the celebrations, CLM are inviting people to come and visit their Health and Fitness Centre upstairs in the new complex during an "open weekend" this weekend.

The Recreation Centre offers several exciting features including the new seven-lane, heated indoor swimming pool, a lazy-river and learners pool, one of the country's longest hydroslides, a large spa pool, a new outdoor toddlers pool and refurbished lido slide.