KEY POINTS:
- The rain didn't stop the official opening of the new Taumata Recreation Centre
The rain didn't stop a large group of people attending the official opening of the new Taumata Recreation Centre at Taumata Park in Eltham on Saturday.
A blessing was held earlier in the day, before the building was officially opened at 11am, with South Taranaki deputy mayor Phil Nixon cutting the ribbon.
Whanganui MP Chester Borrows was also present, and said the facility was a fantastic example of a community working together towards a common goal.
This new facility has given the club a great sense of pride.
Phil said the facility represented a great example of partnership.
He said it was thanks to a range of funders, including the South Taranaki District COuncil, TSB Community Trust, Lion Foundation, New Zealand Community Trust and the Eltham Community Board, along with contributions from the Eltham Football and Eltham Athletics Clubs that the new $500,000 facility was built.
"Lots of people made this happen. Community spirit is apparent in this."
Phil said the park had a rich history of sports in the area, with some of the first ever axe-men competitions in New Zealand having taken place on the field.
Built by W&W Construction Ltd, the centre has a large social area, a kitchen bar and toilets as well as a range of indoor and outdoor storage for the Eltham Football and Eltham Athletic Clubs which are the most regular users of the facility and Taumata Park sportsground.
Stephy Mackay from Eltham Athletics also spoke at the opening, and described the event as being "the start of a new era for our community able to work collaboratively together.
"Two codes can do more than one."
President of the Eltham Football Club, Brendan Coles, thanked everyone who had been involved, saying South Taranaki District Council staff, councillors and the mayor had all been very supportive of the project.
"This new facility has given the club a great sense of pride.
"It's a fantastic asset for the Eltham community and we wish to thank the Council for their vision as well as all those who have contributed to fund the project."