community pool celebration

The hard work of a small committee that coordinated the revamp of the Wellsford community pool was acknowledged recently in a ceremony, which also celebrated the contribution made by the ASB, Rodney District Council and local benefactor Richard Izard.

A chance meeting between the then chairman of the pool committee, PE teacher Clint Small, and Mr Izard, led to the latter generously contributing $50,000 towards the project.

Mr Small and his wife, Julie, a former principal of Rodney College, moved to Hamilton two years ago, but came back for the function last month. Mr Izard and his wife Patience also attended from Taupo, where they now live.

Mr Small recalled meeting Mr Izard while having his hair cut.
“I was chatting to the hairdresser when I mentioned about the school pool needing repairs if it was to remain open, but that finding the money was a problem, when this man in the next chair introduced himself and said that he’d be happy to help.”

Despite money from Council and $180,000 from the ASB, the project was still around $50,000 short, which Mr Izard readily agreed to fund.

Committee member Vonny Jackson, presented Mr Izard with a taonga in recognition of his support, and said that his contribution to the community as a whole will never be forgotten.

An emotional Mr Izard responded he was pleased to have been of help.
“We may have moved, but I hope always to have a pad here to come back to. I consider myself to be a Northlander – and a Wellsford person – by adoption.”

Principal Dave Ormondy thanked Mr Izard for his generosity to the school over many years and praised Mr Small and his committee for their efforts. He said that it was important everyone had the chance to learn to swim in order to counter the country’s poor water safety record, and that the pool was now a “fantastic community asset”.

The next stage in the project is to complete the perimeter fence upgrade, improve spectator seating and “one day cover the pool so that it is a year-round facility”.

From left: Debbie Walters, Vicky Sheriff, Grahame Powell, Sarah Walsh, Christine Carroll, Vonny Jackson, Clint Small, Richard Izard, Patience Izard and Dave Ormondy.