OHAKUNE BOROUGH NEWS

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 26, 25 November 1986, Page 10

OHAKUNE BOROUGH NEWS

The Ohakune municipal baths look likely to re-open this summer after last season's disappointing lack of swimming facilities in town. The baths sat empty and unusable. Ohakune Mayor Bill Taylor told councillors at this month's Borough Council meeting that some progress had been made on this issue which has been a bone of contention for some time. Mayor Taylor informed Council that he had met with the leasees, Victoria Park Markets, who advised him that they wish to continue with the lease of Jubilee Park. The Auckland company took control of the baths complex about two years ago with the intention of creating a dual-purpose recreational facility — a heated pool for the swimming season and conversion into an ice-skating rink during winter. The baths sat untouched for the whole of 1985 which provoked considerable reaction from Ohakune residents and dissatisfaction with the arrangement entered into by the Borough. Mayor Taylor informed councillors that the company had made a generous offer of $ 1 0,000 towards the repairs and upgrading of facilities at the baths. Council moved that the offer be promptly and gratefully accepted with the emphasis now being on how fast the repairs can be effected. The Borough Council is optimistic that the baths will

be in operation by 1 December once repairs are carried out on the changing facilities and upgrading of ablutions. Councillor Ellen Gould supported the motion by saying: "It is very important for the children that the baths are operable. We are all very grateful for the offer — it is money well spent." ★ ★ ★ Town water supply Ohakune Borough's water supply came under scrutiny again by councillors, with general agreement that a satisfactory purification system is in desperate need. Cr Thompson and Cr Ben Goddard were optimistic about the possibility of using an ultra-violet light disinfection process for the town water supply. "I am very conscious of the amount of money spent on previous investigations carried out on our water, but I feel in principle it would be worth theeffort of council to carry out further investigations into the ultra-violet system,"said Cr Thompson. "People that I have spoken to seem to think that this could be the best scheme yet." Cr Goddard told the councillors that he had been in touch with representatives from Contamination Control Limited. He reported that their outlook had been "very positive"and they were prepared to send an engineer to Ohakune to put their case to the council. "I would like to see this through personally and for

the Borough to explore all of their options," he said. The council resolved to accept the invitation of the company for their representative to visit Ohakune. Drink/Drive/Die Correspondence received from the Wanganui Area Health Board concerning the regional D'rink/ Drive/Die campaign provoked some comment from most of the councillors. The letter asked the local body for 100% commitment to see that no drinking driver leaves the Borough premises during the period 23 December 1986 to 3 January 1987. Mayor Taylor offered his opinion in support of the campaign. "Personally I support this because the problem is one of enormity," he said. "The attention paid to it by the press may not deter many people, but it does bring home to some the effect of drinking and driving." Councillor Errol Sue said he felt it was "purely a personal matter"and continued to say that he felt it was "a bit of an insult." Councillor Bruce Thompson added: "The campaign is a publicity stunt but if every council in the district makes the same gesture it may just get the message across." The council moved that they make the commitment, although it was noted that the Borough Council chambers are closed over the tenday period for the annual Christmas break.