Community Engagement Project - Solway Park
After consultation with Horowhenua District Council Parks Officers and local Police it was agreed that a junior rugby field (70m x 50m) would be installed at Solway Park and replace the former set of goal posts which were transferred to Tokomaru Domain.
RS had previously located an old set of rugby posts at the HDC Storage Yard and agreed to fabricate these posts into junior posts for the planned new field. Firstly we had these scaled down, suitable post sleeves were fabricated at Richards Engineering followed by a fresh coat of white paint. The in ground post sleeves were installed, these allow the posts to be easily removed when the park is being used for an event such as the annual Cultural Food Festival. To coincide with the posts being raised RS has also marked in the new field dimensions.
It has been great to see the ongoing development of this park over the past 12 months and RS are pleased to be able to add to this parks assets as part of our Community Engagement initiatives.
Recreational Services Celebrates 25 years
This month Recreational Services turned 25 years old. To celebrate the incredible journey and to thank our communities for their ongoing support, each of the teams around the country took some time to pay it forward in their own unique way.
The Horowhenua team decided to put a $100.00 coffee tab at each of the local favourite coffee spots -Whispers (Levin), Focal Point (Levin), Te Takere (Levin), Horsemans (Shannon) and the White Rabbit (Foxton Beach). These tabs were all snapped up nice an early for free coffees at the various venues. This was a great way to connect in with the locals and share a bit about our role in their community.
On the Friday afternoon the Horowhenua Team came together for a BBQ, beers and cake. The Team were joined by staff from the Horowhenua Council which was great. Although the majority of Horowhenua team have only been with the company for just under 2 years it was awesome way to celebrate the history of the company and to reflect on where it all began for Brett and Natalie 25 years ago, the team expressed how proud they are to represent the company here in the Horowhenua and look forward to the future with this great company.
Community Engagement Project - Muaupoko Park Planting day
On the 2nd of September, RS and HDC jointly hosted a mixture of 40 pupils, teachers and parents from Levin School at Muaupoko Park in Levin for a planting day to revegetate an area of the park that has undergone substantial tree removal recently. All plants were provided by HDC with the site set up, H&S induction, planting technique training, and supervision supplied by RS employees. The kids really enjoyed the chance to replant this area of Muaupoko Park and took great pride in their work. Once complete the kids were excited to install a couple of plaques amongst the plantings with Levin School 2016 engraved on them. RS then supplied a BBQ lunch and refreshments to reward the youngsters for their hard work. Another enjoyable event for all involved with all kids leaving the site with huge smiles on their faces.
Community Engagement Project - New and Improved Rebound Wall
For August's Community Engagement Project, RS removed the old rebound wall that stood at Shannon Domain and constructed a new one. All the materials were kindly supplied by HDC and labor was supplied by RS at no cost. The project was capped off with a beautifully bright mural over the walls surface.
With the finishing touches of a new basketball backboard, hoop and net donated by RS - the space has been transformed into what is now a very vibrant and extremely well used space by the youth of Shannon.
Community Engagement Project - New Vegetable Garden for the kids
For the July Community Engagement project, Recreational Services donated 4 m3 of topsoil to Ta Tima Tanga Hoe Childcare Centre in Levin. Soil was dropped off in their car park and RS staff then helped the kids transport the topsoil into the courtyard with wheelbarrows and the kids using their buckets. The soil was placed in an old unused sand pit with the aim of developing it into a vegetable garden that the kids are to maintain. Another successful event with the childcare centre very appreciative of the free top soil and labour/truck hours donated.
Community Engagement Project - Planting Day with Opiki School
On the 9th June 2016 Recreational Services’ Horowhenua Team and HDC jointly hosted Opiki School pupils for a Community Planting Day at Horseshoe Bend Scenic Reserve in Tokomaru.
The kids enthusiasm kicked started the day off wonderfully as they arrived at 9:30am for an induction onto the site. Firstly the kids helped the RS Team identify all of the potential hazards and then received a tutorial on how to plant the native shrubs correctly. The kid’s ripped into the planting and spreading of the mulch, with all work completed incredibly by 11:30am. Following the completion of the planting, 4 bollards were raised in the gardens with “Opiki School 2016” proudly carved into them.
A great morning for all involved in the project and in kiwi style, what better way to celebrate a hard morning’s work than with a BBQ and cold drink. It was the perfect setting to test out the new RS community BBQ Trailer and gazebo.
Excellent feedback was received from both Opiki School staff, HDC Parks Officers, and HDC Councillors who came to check out the action. If you want to check out what went on, please follow the link below to a Youtube video created by Opiki School’s Room 4.
Thank you to HDC who supplied the native plants and the RS Horowhenua Team for your labour/supervision on the day, and thank you to the Opiki School kids, staff and parents for all your hard work on the day.
Community Engagement Project - New Goal Posts for Taitoko Primary
Recreational Services were lucky enough to be involved in a community project initiated by the Horowhenua District Council (HDC) and the Horowhenua Kapiti Rugby Union (HKRU). The Aim of the project was to utilise an old set of rugby posts that were no longer required by HDC. Taitoko Primary School was identified as the ideal site with their high percentage of rugby playing pupils, but with no posts to utilise.
Over 2 weeks in May Recreational Services were engaged to organise the fabrication for the new post sleeves, arrange painting of the old posts and install all materials. All costs were kindly taken care of by HKRU and the labour supplied at no cost by RS as part of our KPI with HDC to engage in one community event each month.
The posts are now standing tall on the school field being enjoyed by the kids at lunch time – thank you to everyone involved who helped make this possible.
Shannon's Best Kept Street and Garden Competition
Organised by the town's Progressive Association, Shannon hosted a fantastic day for locals to get together and share their passion for their Garden's. With many great gardens in the area, there were plenty of prizes to be won, with awards ranging from 'Best Junior Garden' (won by Henry Williams) to 'Best Commercial Frontage' (won by 57 Bakery and Cafe). Recreational Services even managed to pick up the 'Beyond the Call of Duty' award.
Thank you to Shannon's Progressive Association for hosting such a great competition that celebrates home and commercial properties being well taken care of.
"Firstly on behalf of Shannon Progressive Association, thank you so much for the very generous donation of prizes for the competition" Janette Campbell - Shannon Progressive Association
Shannon School Ag Day
Shannon school held their annual Agriculture Day on the 13th of November. All the hard work that the children had done with grooming and caring for their animals over the past 3 months was wonderfully shown on the day. All animals looked amazing which gave the judges a tough job deciding on placings.
Recreational Services sponsored the event by donating all the prizes for the well deserved winners.
Are you needing sponsorship in your community?
Contact Evans Hicks, Operations Manager: evan@rs.kiwi.nz