| 95 Tangiteroria Sports Complex: Guyco Construction New complex rising from the ashes Sue Russell The new sports complex will feature one, rather than the original two, squash courts and spaces like the kitchen and meeting area will be enhanced. COMMUNITY Phone 24 Hours (09) 437 3668 Commercial Refrigeration and Air Conditioning specialists Fax: (09) 437 3696 | 89 Kamo Road | PO Box 661 Whangarei email: office@kensingtonrefrigeration.co.nz DESIGN • MANUFACTURE • INSTALL • MAINTAIN keep it COOL with... When fire destroyed the much valued Sports Complex at Tangiteroria, halfway between Dargaville and hangarei, it was a crippling experience for the tightly knit community. Not only was the centre a vital shared community space but the building was funded and built by the community, giving it a special quality and place in its history. “We were devastated when it happened, particularly because it was deliberately lit; which was the hardest thing to understand. All the labour and most of the material used to build it was donated. A really sad day for Tangitororia,” says Jan Beatty, Upper Wairoa Memorial Park Ass. Inc Chairperson. Saddest still was the permanent loss of priceless old trophies held ‘in safe-keeping’ in the hall. They covered a range of sports - bowls, darts, pool, cricket fortunately not the rugby ones. The polo club had recently given their two trophies to the complex for safe keeping. All these are irreplaceable. Asked how a community started to mend after such a severe loss, Jan says, they did what felt right. “We held a community BBQ on the park next to the shell of the building. We had so many people come, it was amazing and was the start of our healing.” In fact the ‘Burgers in the Park’ gathering continued on well past the fire in January 2020. It became a regular fixture, though COVID did it’s best to dampen spirits, Jan says, Tangitororia is a strong community and they have risen above the initial grief. COVID also created other pressures on the re-build process as Jan explains. “Pre-Covid the insurance we had would have covered the cost of the rebuild but with a 10% increase in costs we’re looking at an approximate $350,000 shortfall.” The committee put out expressions of interest and chose local contractors Guyco as principal for the project. The decision to go with the company came down to several factors including the fact that the Complex committee liked the look of the building Mandeno Design Ltd designed and Guyco’s proposal. “It fitted in well with what we had envisaged.” When Business North spoke with Jan late March, the building area had been cleared and piles were expected on site that week. The new sports complex will feature one, rather than the original two, squash courts and spaces like the kitchen and meeting area will be enhanced. “We had to keep its footprint the same size as the original to comply with resource consent.” Jan can’t speak highly enough either of Insurer FMG, saying they have simply been brilliant to work with from the outset. “Assessors Leon & Howard were really good to work with and insurance funding was released by the end of the enquiry.” Asked how the shortfall in funds will be found Jan says the Committee is looking at a variety of avenues including applying for grants. She feels they have a strong case for funding, given the multi-sport nature of the building and that it is the only community facility of its kind between Dargaville and Whangarei. “Our immediate community is really behind us, but so too is the wider community given its importance to the region.” And the best ending to this tragic affair is that, all going according to plan, once the piles are in and Guyco gets underway with construction, the small community will receive the best-ever Christmas present. “It will be just such a wonderful day when we can bless the building and see our community come in and start using it again.”
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