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