Baths bird in hand

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 495, 20 July 1993, Page 4

Baths bird in hand

• This is how it is! One Saturday or Sunday moming in the 90/91 season I called in at the baths to see how the children, including my gr and -children were progressing in the Ohakune Swimming Club.

There were several coaches (two legged, not wheeled) there and numerous children of all sizes, all blue and shivering with the cold. Some were complaining of ear-ache caused by the extreme coldness of the water. When I asked why the water wasn't heated, because I knew the heating was in place, I was told they assumed it was because the Ruapehu District Council could not afford to. Within 24 hours I had collected $1,263.14 from some very generous Ohakune people with the intention of paying for the heating until the money should run out. Thanks to these kind people and Don Sattler, Bruce Thompson and Tony Prentis the baths were soon heated for the _ remaining few short weeks and were well-pa-tronised. The RDC even paid for the heating except for $291 which came from the heating fund. It was a great effort. Then things changed. Don was 'taken off the baths and the Swimming Club - of which I am neither the president nor a member - had to work through Taumarunui which was hopeless! The leaks developed and worsened and so did the summer weather. The the Ruapehu District Council put repairs and a cover high on the list for the district plan. Recently we acquired a further $1,000 towards the heating fund which is now at $2,054.07. This was all great! Then enter Dennis Beytagh, whom I wish every success with his project, but not at the expense of our existing baths. 'A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush! '

June

Bates