Recreation Centre closes to prepare for grand re-opening

October 8th, 2010
By David Armstrong

Motueka's Recreation Centre closes this evening for nine days so that builders and staff can add the final touches and locate all the equipment in their proper places, prior to a re-launch after its eight-month, $2 million upgrade project.

This has been a huge and complex project, with results that will doubtless swell the pride of all Motueka residents and provide renewed inspiration to the staff who operate the popular community facility. Staff and equipment have been moved from area to area over the eight months, and customers have used a variety of entrances and temporary rooms in the process. The staff had to use the skating office as their administration hub for five months.

All systems will again be 'go' when the Rec Centre is open for business on Monday 18th October, and a more formal opening event is set for Guy Fawkes Day, November 5th.

The facility upgrades were based on space being added to the southern and eastern sides of the building. The most dramatic expansion has been to the multi-purpose roller skating area (photos below), which had 12 metres added to the southern (carpark) side. This gave it a size suitable for international roller hockey, and the floor - which is made of strand board and has been sprung to the most modern standards - has been marked out for roller hockey, netball (one court) and badminton (five courts).

Facility manager Jody Maru (pictured right) said extra facilities will encourage more organisations and sports to hire them and provide tailored services. Already they are getting more interest shown in broadening uses, including dance events (last week's Zumba event drew 150 people) and sports clubs hiring the skating rink for indoor training during winter.

The gymnasium on the east side of the building has been nearly doubled in size, and will house some new equipment. It also has some consultation rooms linked and its own toilets. The consultation rooms will be used for individual programmes and hired to people who can supply gym-related services. The Rec Centre is also advertising for expressions of interest by people wanting to provide personal training.

The widening of the building has also enabled the changing area and toilets to be expanded significantly. Jody said they hoped the cafeteria, which closed a few months ago, will be re-opened with a new service provider. She said the extra number of people using the Rec Centre makes the caf a promising business opportunity.

"The makeover is already making the building a more inviting place, specially with the new paint and carpet," she said. The new frontage and reception area, and the larger offices for staff and administration, make for a more professional presentation.

Jody said the Centre has been "chocka" between 3pm and 9pm, Monday to Friday during term time. It is hoped that badminton, table tennis and indoor hockey activities will grow after the re-launch.

The new gym, almost ready for the equipment re-fit. The added space is from
the pillars out to the window.

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