The year was 1864 when the first copy of a Timaru news paper rolled off the press. It is now 2010 and the first computer generated copy of the Timaru Southend Community News has been delivered into a letterbox. The reason for the publication was that over 100 people have made a donation towards saving the 110 year old century pool. Below is some of the stories in the publication
Century Pool is to Close after 110 years serving the Community
Welcome to the first edition of the Southend Community News. The news it brings is not good for those who reside in the Southend of Timaru and other Century Pool lovers because the Timaru District Council has voted to close the Century Pool in favour of spending 23.5 million on a new swimming complex north of the City at Maori Park
History of the Century Pool
On the 3rd December 1900 the people of Timaru were jumping for joy because the Governor General of New Zealand had arrived by horse and coach to open Timaru’s first public swimming baths at the Southend of Timaru. The local men had spent many hours of hard work digging the hole with pick and shovel and the horses had worked hard to earn their chaff and oats. The women did all the baking for the workers and it is reported that the children performed in plays and sung songs in the Theatre Royal to raise money for the building of their new swimming pool.
Summary
1900 – Opening of the Century Pool by NZ Governor
Lord Ranfurly
1936 – Southend Swimming Club was formed
1967 – Century Pool was upgraded and heated and
opened by Mayor D R Dowell
1972 - Southend Swimming Club lounge was opened by
Mayor C R Hervey
1979 – Century Pool was roofed to become Timaru’s first
all year round tepid pool.
1999 – Children’s Hydroslide was added
2009 – Mayor Janie Annear and her council voted to
close the iconic Century swimming pool
2010 – Southend Swimming Club have been forced to
merge with Northend swimming club
2010 – Former mayoral candidate Ron Bishop launches
a public appeal to save the Century Pool from closing
2010 - Century Pool gets promoted on the internet for
the first time www.timarudirectory.co.nz
2010 - Southend Community News is launched to help
save the pool and promote the Southend of Timaru
Save the Century Pool Public Appeal
Where there is life there is hope. I did not stand for Mayor of Timaru because I wanted the position and all its glory. I stood for Mayor because I believe that the little guy needs a leader. Someone who can stand up to the politicians who bully them. During the last 2 weeks of my Mayoral campaign I did not call on those in high society I called on householders in the Southend of Timaru. I was not looking for votes I was looking for people who were willing to give their name and a donation towards a public appeal to save the Century Pool from closing. I am pleased to report that over 100 people mainly from the Southend of Timaru have made a financial commitment in the form of a small donation towards the cost involved in saving the pool The donations we have received range from between 10 cents and $100. The donations have been spent on advertising the Century Pool on the Timaru Directory website, publishing and distributing this Southend Community News plus the labour and administration costs associated with managing a public appeal. The next area I will be canvassing for support will be Gleniti because there are a lot of swimmers in the Gleniti area including myself.
How to help by making a Donation
If you want me to continue helping you to Save the Century Pool then it is not to late to make a donation.
Your details: We need your full name, address, phone number and email ( if applicable) togetherwith the amount you wish to donate
To find out how to donate Phone: (03) 686 1271
Gleniti Community News
I am currently canvasing the Gleniti area for donations and once we get 100 donations will print and distribute a free copy of the Gleniti Newsinforming readers about what is happening with the Century Pool. So WATCH THIS SPACE
So apart from paying yourself and your website costs (which you would’ve incurred anyway) what else has the money you’ve collected been spent on? If its just a mailer spouting the same stuff thats on this website, then haven’t you done nothing more than just tell people in the South End that Century Pool is closing? Thats something they already knew.
Hello Randy What a lovely name why did your parents choose that name. Why don’t you give me a ring Randy and I will give you a job doing some good in the community.