Waimea Weekly
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Wednesday 26 November 2014
Sun finally shines for A&P Page 14
Boating & Fishing
Focused on nationals Page 28
Page 18 - 19
Nelson’s strongest man Richmond personal trainer, Tom Armstrong, lived up to his name by winning the Vortex Spas Top of the South Strongman competition held over two bicepbulging days at the Nelson A & P Show at Richmond Park. But according to Tom, he wasn’t the strongest man in the competition because many of the eight events also required, speed, endurance, an iron-fingered grip as well as brute power. After two days of lifting logs, kegs, stones, spas and dumbbells, flipping 200 kilograms tyres and
so round and difficult to get any sort of grip but the dead-lift was the biggest gutbuster - that was 480 kilograms so it was the heaviest weight. “But it wasn’t just about brute strength.
pu l ling trucks, Tom prevailed, winning five of the eight events and finishing second in another two. “It was a tough weekend,” Tom says. “The log press was the hardest because it was
There were guys out there who could squat 260 kilograms - they were more powerful than me but you also needed all-round strength and endurance and a good, strong grip.” Now that he is officially the strongest man in the Top of the South, Tom says he may consider entering other strongman competitions. “It was really cool so I might have another go at one although I’m pretty sore now.” Photo: Chris Symes/Shuttersport.
Government funding for dam likely Nelson MP Nick Smith says “there is a good prospect” that the government will contribute to funding for the proposed Waimea Community Dam, making the $74.6million project affordable for water-users and ratepayers. The Tasman District Council will be seeking government funding for the dam when it meets with Crown Irrigation Company on Wednesday. The company was set
up in 2011 to help establish water schemes throughout the country and Nick says the Waimea Dam won’t be viable without its help. “I don’t think the Waimea Dam is viable without a government contribution,” Nick says. “The government has specifically set up the fund with the intention of supporting water infrastructure and that’s why I think there is a good prospect that the TDC will
Simon Bloomberg
Senior reporter Reporter
simon@waimeaweekly.co.nz
secure the funding. But they will need to put in every effort into working with me to secure government funding for the project. They will need to have all their ducks in a row on this one.” Nick says Crown Irrigation considers each project and fund-
ing proposal individually and he would not say if funding would be in the form of a grant or a low interest loan. However, he warned that the project would still be financially painful for Tasman district ratepayers and water-users, even with government funding. “There is a good prospect of getting a contribution but it’s also important to emphasise that it is
going to be difficult to make this project happen. And it cannot be entirely funded by the taxpayer it will be financially painful.” Nick says he is a long-time advocate for the proposed dam because of the benefits it would bring to the region and he is encouraged “that the Crown Irrigation Company and the council are beginning discussions this week”.
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