Mixed message on the rugby frield
Look at me, Look at me, Look at me
They reminded me of a group of teenagers at a rugby match waving their arms about trying to get the TV cameras to focus on them. Only they are not teenagers they are grown adults in debate over the best use of ratepayers money in promoting Timaru at a super 15 rugby match
The Debate
The South Canterbury Rugby Union wanted the name Timaru to be displayed on the Alpine Stadium Rugby ground in Timaru when Canterbury played the Bulls and they asked Aoraki Development Business & Tourism to pay for the $4000 cost of the grass signage. ADBT turned them down claiming they would get more mileage with having their website address on the front of the stadium.
Business owners chip in
A group of Timaru business owners disagreed and took the hat around to cover the cost of the Timaru sign on the ground, The businesses who came to the party were Simon Hocking House of Travel, Paul Jones Swimming, Supaloo, DB Mainland Brewery, The Timaru Herald, Parr & Co, Starwood Products, Pelle Care Products and Furniture Solutions.
Free Website Advertising
My company Timaru Tourist Promotions Ltd offered to give away 12 months free advertising for the rugby union provided the Timaru Herald would supply a suitable photo of the sign for the our 6 websites. The newspaper did not respond to my email so I went down to the ground and took photo’s of the sign myself. In fact I took photos of every sign on the ground and as I got closer to the Timaru sign that is when I discovered a sign that looked out of place.
Secret Double Dipping
The ADBT is responsible for promoting Timaru and receives nearly $700,ooo anually from the Timaru District Ratepayers. After refusing to contribute to the Timaru sign they spent some $4000 on promoting their own website address on the grandstand. On close inspection I was surprised to find that at the foot of the Timaru Sign on the field was a painted website address southcanterbury.org.nz.
Cheated
The question now must be asked are the ABDT double dipping using both the grandstand and the playing field to sell themselves and do the business owners and ratepayers now feel cheated. I know I do
