We?re making progress: sport and activity committee

By JARED DENNIS jared.dennis@wanganuichronicle.co.nz
A roof over the velodrome, a complete Wanganui parks and sports strategy and a potential sports hall of fame are only some of the lofty goals of the sport and activity committee.
Set up by the Wanganui District Council earlier in the year, the main aim of the committee has been to deal with any local issue relating to sport on a city-wide basis.
After the final meeting for the year this week, committee chair Philippa Baker-Hogan said she was pleased with the progress being made by the group.
"It is new and always a matter of unknown territory because of that, but I believe all committee members ? councillors and appointed ? have acquitted themselves well to this new task," she said.
"There has been strong commitment, attendance and interest shown by all members."
This week's meeting maybe best encapsulated the "working committee" focus of the group, as they checked off a number of events that they had a guiding hand in.
This included an update from the "International Velodrome Events Centre Working Party", who are in the initial stages of gauging whether a complete events centre is most appropriate and who will be the key users if this is the case.
Also at this week's meeting was an update from Project Splash Centre Charitable Trust chair John Unsworth on how fundraising is going; a presentation from Sport and Recreation's adult activity coordinator Jackie Abraham on the recent Push Play Nation programme; and a presentation by Wanganui Rugby chief executive Haig Elgar on the recent season and looking forward to Rugby World Cup 2011.
Baker-Hogan said although not directly involved in the running of these various programmes the sport and activity group can play a valuable part.
"I believe this committee has the ability to have a continued stronger involvement in progressing recommendations and action plans, due to the strength of its makeup," she said.
Looking forward to next year Baker-Hogan said she thought there would be three main areas of focus, although many more were likely to come up over the natural course of events.
She said the most important issues would be: "Considering the recommendations of the Parks and Sports Strategy (PAS) and in line with the PAS, progressing a strong way forward for the sport and recreation needs of Wanganui.
"Progressing a report back to council, strong and valid enough to prove and gain the council's support for building a events centre, over the velodrome.
"And progressing the Sports Hall of Fame & Peter Snell Statue concepts to be implemented and another strong sporting and economic driver for Wanganui by 2008."
The next meeting of the sport and activity committee will be in February.