We Say – Poor sports

Poor sports

Is anyone else getting tired of Council rhetoric? They spend a fortune on developing a Climate Action Plan, but let developers build in low-lying areas that are already flood-prone. They talk about their leading waste minimisation strategies, but condone the building of a massive landfill in a pristine environment that will pollute waterways all the way to the Kaipara Harbour. And, they tell us how important it is to get Aucklanders physically active, but neglect the very facilities that allow this to happen.

This thought came to mind when we learned that Centennial Park in Wellsford was the subject of yet another plan. Oh, sorry, this time it is a ‘Master Plan’. The current plan is being funded by the Rodney Local Board and we commend the Board for this initiative. But, honestly, how many opinions from consultants, stakeholders, mana whenua and the community do we really need to realise the bleeding obvious – the netball courts need to be ripped up, proper drainage put down and then a safe playing surface laid on top. Last year, despite all the toing and froing around Covid, the Rodney Netball Centre catered for 49 junior teams and 26 senior teams. Multiply that by seven players, a few reserves, coaches and organisers, and you are talking about hundreds of young people enjoying a significant sporting activity in a town which doesn’t have much else in the way of recreational facilities.

Now the bureaucrats will tell you that nothing is this simple. The centre has a lease on the grounds, which means the centre is responsible for the maintenance. But this is only splitting hairs. The drainage under the courts is the problem and as far as we can see, that’s a Council issue. We also understand that the Master Plan is looking at the whole park, not just the netball courts. But the fact is that this ‘whole park’ vision has been on a council drawing board since the time of Rodney District Council, maybe even longer. The kids who would have benefited from something being done back then are now having kids of their own!

The grossly under-par performance of Council in the upkeep of sports grounds in our area seems to be getting worse, not better. Just think back to the Blues pre-season game that went south because the Mahurangi Rugby grounds hadn’t been properly maintained, and don’t get us started on the state of Shoesmith Domain where sports injuries include broken ankles from the holes in the ground. All we can say is, “Lift your game, Council.”