Legal blood alcohol limit to drop The road safety charity Brake welcomed Cabinet’s announcement that it intends to lower the legal blood alcohol limit from 80 to 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood for drivers aged over 20. PAGE 3
Big smiles all around at WCB The happy couple in the centre of the photograph is the new deputy and chair of the Wanaka Community Board. Hawea Flat’s Rachel Brown is the chair for the next three-year term and Albert Town’s Bryan Lloyd is the deputy. PAGE 3 THUR 07.11.13 - WED 13.11.13
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WANAKA’S INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER
Cup day fundraiser
Serious fun on the river PAGE 2
Calendar for the hospice Local couple Jim and Ena Leckie hosted a Melbourne Cup fundraiser at their Wanaka home on Tuesday to raise funds for the Upper Clutha Hospice Trust. More than 60 people attended the event which included a best hat competition. “It was a most beautiful night, with more than $700 raised for the Upper Clutha Hospice Trust,” Hospice shop manager Bev Rudkin said. PHOTO: WANAKA.TV
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Sports groups ponder centre Tim Brewster Wanaka Sun
Labour still needed PAGE 8
Disc golf champs PAGE 16
The cost of using council facilities and the need for substantial indoor facilities “sooner rather than later” are more important issues for local sporting groups than where they are built. A full QLDC council meeting on November 14 has the Three Parks sports facility on the agenda, with most local groups accepting the project will proceed but preferring a cheaper option than the existing $16.7 million projected cost. A proposal for a “land purchase or swap” adding to the existing 5.5 hectares is also confirmed
by council to be on the agenda. Netball, soccer and basketball groups all agree there is currently a big need for a substantial increase in playing areas, especially indoors during winter,
by other sports with changing rooms and showers. We really don’t care where it is. We just need something built sooner rather than later,” Wanaka Basketball Club chair Kate Jerram said.
We really don’t care where it is. We just need something built sooner rather than later. with changing and showering facilities suitable for the numbers of players. “We don’t need anything flash. Three full-size indoor courts that can be used
A number of the junior players were already disadvantaged by the lack of facilities and were entering the competition season with insufficient
preparation time, she said. Junior soccer players try to use the Mount Aspiring College playing fields as much as possible for practice as they are free compared to fees of $12.50 an hour or $1000 a year for council facilities, Wanaka Junior Football president Jodi Voyce said. “We’d like to see how Kelly’s Flat turns out. It would be a waste not to use it. We do have a need for more storage under cover.” She said the estimated 200 junior players in the area use Allenby and Pembroke Parks mainly for games. Story continues page 2...