Blue
Penguin Swimming Club
Oamaru
A
new swimming club is being established
Many people in Oamaru and the
Waitaki District, who enjoy swimming, have expressed the fact they do
not want a new aquatic centre built on Takaro Park. Their opinion has
varied from not wanting to see the destruction of the QEII aquatic centre
to fully supporting a new aquatic centre, but just not on Takaro Park.
However, all are united in
not wanting the aquatic centre on Takaro Park, the village green of Oamaru.
The disaffection with what
has unfolded has lead many to vow they will not swim in a pool on Takaro
Park. So if the proposed
aquatic centre goes ahead on Takaro Park they will look for alternate
venues to pursue their enjoyment of swimming.
Almost all the schools in Oamaru
have their own swimming pools. The Blue Penguin Swimming Club proposes
to hire these facilities for club activities.
The club is in the process
of becoming incorporated and the New Zealand Swimming Federation has been
contacted with regard to becoming an affiliated member.
The Blue Penguin Swimming Club
will be able to provide the safe and legal environment by which members
will be able to use the various facilities throughout the region. This
is especially important with ever increasing Health and Safety concerns.
The partnership with schools
will have the added bonus of being financially beneficial for the upkeep
of the pools. An example of this type of mutual benefit is the recently
opened Freyberg Community Swimming Pool in Palmerston North. The 25 metre
indoor pool cost $1.85 million and was a joint venture between the Palmerston
North City Council and Freyberg High School. Such opportunities should
not be lost in our district.
Interest and support for the
Blue Penguin Swimming Club has been overwhelming. A date for the inaugural
meeting will be set as soon as possible. In the mean time anyone interested
in joining is encouraged to sign one of the many registration of interest
forms that are circulating throughout the community, or at the Takaro
Park picnic site.
Further information is available
by contacting the following:
internet: http://www.waitaki.net.nz/sports/bpsc
email: bluepenguin@waitaki.net.nz
Bob McMullan
Convenor
Blue Penguin Swimming Club
23/10/1998

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