My Account
Beth Houlbrooke and Ian Clark spoke at the sun shelter opening.
Dozens gathered for a barbecue and opening of a sun shelter at Sunburst Reserve in Snells Beach on June 20.
The sun shelter – comprising a table, some seating and a roof – was donated by Kawau Bay Fishing Club after an earlier plan to build some clubrooms fell through.
Speaking at the ceremony, club president Ian Clark said it was decided to use money raised for the club rooms to give something back to the community.
Mr Clark thanked members of the club who had guided the project to successful completion over four years.
He also thanked Auckland Council, which donated the table, and sponsors Wharehine ReadyMix, Matakana ITM, Hireworks, Wyatt Landscape Supplies and Foresight Builders.
Rodney Local Board deputy chair Beth Houlbrooke unveiled a plaque honouring the club and the sponsors.
Ms Houlbrooke thanked the fishing club for the shelter and for working with Council to make it happen.
She said it was now more difficult to get Council to approve such community-initiated projects, but when approval was gained, one could be sure the project would be done well and provision would be made for ongoing maintenance.
She said from now on maintenance of the shelter would be the responsibility of the Rodney Local Board.
She added the shelter was a wonderful asset and would provide shade and shelter to those supervising children at the nearby playground.
Construction of the shelter was not without controversy. Nearby residents organised a petition opposing it, fearing it would become a focal point for anti-social activity such as fighting, excessive drinking and drug taking.
However, Mr Clark said since completion, objections to the shelter had died down.
