Who Cares about the Kids
During my campaign to save the Century Pool located at the Southend of Timaru I find that one of the biggest concerns I hear from parents, grandparents and school teachers is the safety of the children. Once the Century pool closes Maori Park will be the only public swiming pool in the city of Timaru and for the children to have a swim they will have to walk along some very narrow footpaths and across several dangerous intersections including state highway one which is about to become a 4 lane highway. The council in their desire for glory is setting up a suicide path for our kids.
The photos tell the story
Watch this space as we show you photos of the roads the children will have to cross on their way for a swim.
 This is the narrow path the Waimataitai school children will enter onto SH1 on their way to Maori Park for a swim. |
 This is the pedestrian crossing they will cross on SH1 which is soon to become a 4 lane highway |
 This footpath is 2 metres wide on SH1 for the children to walk there and back on their journey to Maori park for swim |
 This is the double lane entrance to Caroline Bay which has no pedestrian crossing |
 This is the intersection from Benvenue Ave that leads to the Tennis centre |
 This is the narrow 50 km railway underpass that links Caroline Bay with Maori Park. The foot path is just 1 metre wide |
 Fontera milk tankers and other heavy vehicles are a common site on the main highway where the children cross the road for a swim in the proposed new Aquatic Centre |
||
Ronski,
I thought you might be having a laugh when you started your crusade to save Century Pool, but now I realise the issue is serious. Children are going to be seriously endangered by the closing of Century. I’m sure you have stats on the mortality rate of school children whilst Maori Park has been open which will show these same roads pictured above are a death trap. Also, it is much safer to use Century Pool given its locale on SH1.
Is there anything we can do to petition local or central government? Have you tried to contact John Key over this issue? Maybe some celebrities would be interested in joining the cause – I’m thinking SAS superman Willie Apiata, Tony Veitch (he’ll be looking for some controversy to deflect to) and possibly Thingee (remember him??)
Thanks for offering to help with the campaign Dennis. Your ideas are good ones but unfortunatly all my time and energy is being used up door knocking collecting names and donations. I’m hoping others will realise that with names and dollars the powers that be will have to start listening to those that pay their wages. If you know of anyone that can lend a hand in doing what you suggest then by all means encourage them to do so.