WE TAKE CARE OF ALL THINGS BIKES WORKSHOP AND SALES
BIKES & BEYOND MARLBOROUGH Ph 022 033 0959
61 Queen Street, Blenheim
Rātū 12 Tīhema 2023 Tuesday 12 December 2023
Paddle power
Navigating a new path
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Multimillion dollar marina PAULA HULBURT
paula@topsouthmedia.co.nz
A $30 million state of the art marina has officially opened its gates. After a decade of planning the Waikawa North West Marina build is finished- offering a massive 850 berths. The milestone move means more berths available to boaties - some of whom have been on the waiting list for years. Announcing the marina’s completion, Port Marlborough’s CEO Rhys Welbourn says hurdles had to be overcome along the way.
He says he is delighted to see the opening happen just in time for summer. “… It’s just in time for the boating season, and for what is shaping up to be another beautiful summer in the Sounds.” Started just as the global pandemic unfolded in March 2020, the build dealt with Covid-19 lockdowns and disruptions to the supply chain. Predictions estimate an annual $2 million boost to the local economy. Support businesses like mechanical repairs, hospitality and maintenance services are anticipating a surge in demand.
The Waikawa North West Marina expansion has been completed. Photo: Supplied.
LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED
Marlborough Sounds Marinas’ customer service manager Louise Collier says while many berths are already spoken for there are some still available. “The team have put a lot of heart into making this place special, and it’s wonderful to see that effort paying off.” The Port’s Manager of Infrastructure and Environment Gavin Beattie says the marina’s design is cutting edge. New to the country, the infrastructure team have used steel piles with precast concrete panels fixed onto the piles to form the breakwater. Manawhenua iwi of Waikawa, Te Ātiawa o te Waka a Maui, worked with the port’s infrastructure team to bring various contextual cultural elements into the design. “It’s an exciting moment for the community,” says Rhys. We are so pleased to deliver this important asset to our boating community, and we would like to extend our gratitude to the residents of Waikawa, the marina’s neighbouring residents, existing berth holders, marinas team, engineers, contractors, and all who contributed to this project.”
Community caring PAGE 14
INSPIRING: Blenheim Choral singers Gemma Amsler, Margaret Hastings and Rien Wagenvoort are looking forward to their upcoming Christmas concert on Saturday. See page 5. Photo: Paula Hulburt.
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