Recreation Centre upgrade officially opened

November 6th
[by David Armstrong]

Improvements costing a total of $2.1 million to the Motueka Recreation Centre won warm approval and hearty praise from the speakers and invited guests at the official opening of the upgraded facilities yesterday.

Local politicians and sports administrators joined with their praise for the vision and work done by Brent Maru and his staff, as well as for the donors of funds to make it happen in this 8-month project, which saw the roller skating rink enlarged and resurfaced to international quality as well as the enlargement of the office, gymnasium and toilet/changing area.

Brent opened proceedings and gave a potted history of the building, which in 1987 was converted from a fruit packhouse. During the intervening 23 years it operated as the "Rec Centre" but only with the help of people like Sir Pat Goodman and David Ogilvie to keep it going. Eleven years ago Tasman District Council stepped in to buy the building and Sport Tasman has run it.

Now the Rec Centre has undergone a major overhaul, in what Brent with tongue in cheek referred to as Stage One with Stage Two to come when he can extract more money out of donors and supporters.

The Lotteries Grant Board provided $750,000 for this upgrade, Canterbury Community Trust $100,000, and Lion Foundation has provided all the gymnasium equipment. Tasman District Council provided the remainder or the funds - $1.2 million.

The CEO of Tasman Regional Sports Trust (Sport Tasman) Nigel Muir told guests that whenever he drives out to our Rec Centre he gets inspired. "A complex like this is just bricks and mortar without the people who have the drive and passion and energy behind it. I want to acknowledge Brent Maru, his wife Jody and the team here for the outstanding work they do to make the community a better and more vibrant place to live," he said. The Centre teaches future generations "lessons about leadership, teamwork, goal setting and community engagement".

He said that each month now the equivalent of the population of Motueka - about 7,000 people - represents the number of visits or sessions at the Rec Centre, on 18 very diverse types of activities. It has also become something of a drop-in centre for youngsters to hang out together.

West Coast Tasman MP Chris Auchinvole praised Brent. In community projects like this, "there is always a galvanising factor, a dynamic person".

"In Brent Maru you have a phenomenon in Motueka! He's unique in so many ways. He talks comfortably with ministers and prime ministers. He takes care of the small people in the community. He's always disgustingly cheerful. Nothing seems to be a problem, and he has a solution for every problem that occurs."

Minister of Internal Affairs Nathan Guy, who later officially cut the ribbon to re-open the centre, spoke of the role of lottery funding in community building.

Labour list MP Damien O'Connor pointed out the vital role facilities like the Rec Centre play in guiding young people into purposeful adulthood. Quoting two sayings: "The devil makes work for idle hands" and "Kids in sports stay out of courts", he said the more we can do to keep kids occupied in mind and body, the less chance there is of them being distracted by things that are less desirable.

Tasman District Mayor Richard Kempthorne added to this sentiment, noting that statistics show that "kids in sport also do better in school". "Kids that are active in sport actually learn better, and then if you take that through into adult life ... the best way to keep your brain active and healthy is to stay physically fit."

The guests then viewed the facilities before sharing some finger food. The gymnasium in particular provided some of the politicians the chance to be photographed "working out", to the amusement of many.

Brent Maru	Nigel Muir	Chris Auchinvole
Nathan Guy	Damien O'Connor	Richard Kempthorne

Comment by June Vincent:
[Posted 7 November 2010]

Congratulations to Brent, Jodi and the team. This is an amazing effort for a facility that once divided Motueka into the "Yes let's do it" camp from those nay-sayers. Best wishes for the future of the "Rec" Centre.

Comment by Brent Maru:
[Posted 8 November 2010]

Thanks June, it's like that cheese advert I think, "good things take time..."

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