16 August 2013

Kaiapoi Aquatic Centre officially reopens

Kaiapoi Aquatic Centre officially reopens today thanks to $1.1 million from the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.

The Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust today celebrated the completion of its first substantial recovery project in Kaiapoi, as Prime Minister John Key officially reopened the repaired Kaiapoi Aquatic Centre.

The Prime Minister was joined by dignitaries including Appeal Trustee Dr Rod Carr, Mark Weldon - who led the initial, active fundraising phase of the global Appeal - and Mayor of Waimakariri David Ayers.

The Appeal Trust granted $1.1 million towards the estimated $5 million repair, including $700,000 contributed by NZCT (New Zealand Community Trust) and $100,000 provided by the United Kingdom Earthquake Appeal Trust. 

The reopened pools are welcome news to the 120,000 local residents who used the Centre’s 25 metre pool and learners’ pool annually until it was closed by the 22 February 2011 earthquakes. Since then, swimmers have been fully ustilising the Waimakariri District's indoor Dudley Park pool in Rangiora and outdoor seasonal pool in Oxford. 

In fact the Appeal Trust also funded - jointly with Vodafone Foundation - transport costs for 1700 school children so they could complete their swimming programme at Dudley Park Aquatic Centre, with $15,000 to North Canterbury Sport and Recreation Trust.

Children also had access to a temporary outdoor Pools in Schoolz pool located at Kaiapoi Park on Smith Street during Term 4 2012 and Term 1 2013 for preschool and school swimming lessons, also granted funds by the Appeal Trust.

Click here to read the Waimakariri District Council's media statement. 

About the Appeal Trust
The Christchurch Earthquake Appeal was launched by Prime Minister John Key on 27 February 2011 as the Government’s official, global fundraiser for the recovery effort and to date it has raised more than $100 million in donations and pledges. The Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust is responsible for allocating the funds raised to support earthquake recovery initiatives. The Trust is an independent charity, registered under the Charities Act of New Zealand and is governed and operated by the Trustees independent of government.