Wanaka Watersports Facility officially open

Wanaka’s multi-purpose watersports facility was officially opened on Sunday (August 23).

The 430m2 building on the western foreshore of Roys Bay, owned by the Wanaka Watersports Facility Charitable Trust, will enable easy and direct access to the lake for rowers, swimmers, kayakers and disabled lake users and will be available to the public on a 'user pays' basis. 

The multi-purpose building offers easy access to the lake. PHOTO: Jackie Boyd

The building was designed by architect Alistair Madill and constructed by Breen Construction, at an estimated cost of around $1.63M. The building won an award in the 2020 Southern Architecture Awards commercial category.

The opening of the facility was celebrated late last year (November 23) before the council’s code of compliance was issued, after a seven year process which polarised the local community and led to an Environment Court decision in favour of the facility in June 2017.

Conservation Week celebrated at Makarora

Makarora School students helping make Boundary Creek a “very special place”. PHOTO: Supplied

Department of Conservation ranger Todd Owen spent field time with Makarora School as part of Conservation Week last week.

Todd said the group had a great morning planting trees at Boundary Creek. 

“We had nine kids and we planted 50 native trees to extend our school regeneration project we started three years ago. Te Kākano have supported us from the start, donating 30 plants a year.”

“This will be a very special place in years to come,” Todd said.

Alert level two requirements meant most other Conservation Week events were cancelled.

Wanaka Podcast launches

Nikki Potts talks to host Jess Eastwood. PHOTO: Supplied

The Wanaka Podcast, which launched last week (August 19), features local business people, and aims to be entertaining, informative and interesting, co-founder Erin Murdie says. 

“The town is full of such incredible people doing such amazing things in business. We felt that their knowledge and experience may be helpful to other business owners or aspiring business owners. Our hosts dig into the backstories of many of the businesses we know and love in Wanaka, as well as some initiatives that people might not know about,” Erin said.

The project was developed in lockdown and recording began once business resumed. The show will be released in seasons, with each season presented by a new host. Hosts so far include local business owners Jess Eastwood from Mindchat, professional athlete Dougal Allan, and Jo Lynch from Jolt Marketing. Guests include retail and hospitality, athletes and artists, as well as health practitioners and organic treat makers.

The first episode of the podcast is available on all main podcast apps and online here.

Controlled fire jumps fence at Queensberry

A controlled burn jumped properties in Queensberry on Monday. PHOTO: Supplied

A helicopter from Alpine Helicopters and a ground crew from the Luggate Fire Brigade attended a controlled burn in the Queensberry Hills on Monday (August 24) which burnt out of control.

The fire, which was approximately 100 by 50m, had jumped into a neighbouring block, a FENZ spokesperson said.

The Luggate crew responded around midday but access issues meant a helicopter was required. The helicopter scooped buckets of water from a lake on the property to fight the blaze.

Ground crews then mopped up, and departed by 4pm. A tanker from Tarras was stood down.

Birthing pool blessed

Lakes District Hospital Midwifery Coordinator Ann Mackay, SDHB midwifery director Heather La Dell, Kaumatua Michael Skerrett and consumer representative Catkin Bartlett. PHOTO: Supplied

Queenstown midwives, Southern District Health Board (SDHB) staff and locals have welcomed the blessing of a new birthing pool at Lakes District Hospital in Queenstown.

Midwifery coordinator Ann Mackay said in addition to the new pool, the birthing room and new toilet and shower installed as part of the renovations were blessed by Kaumatua Michael Skerrett at a small ceremony attended by midwives, a community representative, and SDHB staff last week (August 20). 

“All midwives and staff are super excited about the renovations. It’s lovely to have a new space and one that has been designed for the needs of the local women. The space is fresh and looks homely and welcoming. It is something positive that we can offer women during labour to support primary birthing,” Ann said.

“So far 2020 has been challenging for women birthing in Queenstown because of COVID-19 and this feels like a way we can give back to the women for all their understanding during this difficult year.”

SDHB rural health manager Debi Lawry said hospital renovations, including the installation of reticulated oxygen in all the clinical rooms on the general ward, provides the hospital with greater flexibility and capacity than it had in April.