Hundreds flock to new rec-centre | Wairarapa News | Local News in Wairarapa

THE wind gusted strongly on Saturday as the public waited patiently for the official tributes to end and Masterton's new $7.1 million Recreation Centre to open.

But just on midday, the waiting was over as Masterton Mayor Bob Francis snipped the official ribbon, unveiled the official plaque and then it was all on.

Hundreds of people crowded through the main doors to get their first glance at the complex which had been the subject of controversy from day one, but which, on Saturday, was universally praised.

A group of invited guests were officially welcomed at a small ceremony and powhiri at Aratoi before the main opening ceremony.

The official party then moved across to the main entrance for the public ceremony.

The waiting crowd heard speeches by Mr Francis, and major sponsors, including Genesis Energy's Murray Jackson, Brian Bourke, of Trust House, and Sport and Recreation Minister Trevor Mallard.

Then it was time for the official bits, performed by Mr Francis, before people had a chance for their first look.

An accurate count of how many people used the pools on Saturday was made difficult because of the opening celebrations.

For instance about 100 children who had entered a Times-Age letter-writing competition were invited to come along for free swims and to take part in a mass jump-in.

Rec-centre manager Andrea Jackson said as far as could be ascertained at least 500 people attended the pools on Saturday afternoon and this swelled to more than 700 on Sunday.

She said the hydroslide had proved especially popular but the lazy river had also been very well utilised.

"There were lots of kids using the lazy river but also mums and dads in there supervising," she said.

Miss Jackson said a staff debriefing would be held to talk over the successes, and any hiccups, that arose during the opening weekend.

She said although the opening had been "fantastic" and a really great start to a good future, some small details need to be ironed out.

Questions have already been asked by one person, who used the pools, about first-aid facilities.

Miss Jackson said there had been some minor injuries, including stubbed toes, that staff had to deal with.

The complex does not have a first-aid room but this was a deliberate decision made after consultation with medical authorities, she said.

Advice to pool staff was that any injured person should not be moved any further than necessary, especially if spinal injuries were suspected.

Miss Jackson said taking staff and injured people into enclosed rooms also posed a problem with pool supervision. Instead, each lifeguard has been issued with a first-aid kit for use poolside and can radio for help with pool supervision if need be.

As an adjunct to opening the pools, a division one basketball match was held in the stadium on Saturday night, using the new sports floor.

Hawke's Bay Hawks defeated the Manawatu Jets in a game watched by about 500 people, including Mr Francis.

He said he expects the game to be the first of many first-class encounters and that crowds will grow as interest in basketball returns to the levels it reached in the late-1980s and early-1990s when the Governors Wairarapa team built a huge following.

The visiting teams had praised the new floor and the changing rooms and showers, he said.

More photo's in todays paper