New Brighton Central School pool is under threat and local Police and community are rallying together to raise the $30,000 necessary to keep it open.
New Brighton Police are cycling from coast to coast in a sponsored ride to help raise the money needed for the urgent maintenance required. Organiser, Community Constable Gary Bombay, says that in this special environment the pool is a key element for the safety of the whole community.
"This is a local pool used to teach kids to swim, and here, where we are surrounded by water, it is even more essential," he says. "These kids have a `bigger playground' of the sea, the river and the estuary. They are taught to swim and be `water wise' in a safe environment at their school."
On Monday 12 October 2009 sixteen New Brighton police officers and Brian Thompson, Central New Brighton Principal, will begin cycling (not on duty time) from the beach near Kumara on the West Coast, hoping to make it back to Central New Brighton School by 1.30pm on Wednesday 14 October.
It is planned that several local MP's will also join the ride where it passes through their electorates and the New Brighton Fire Brigade will escort the cyclists from Q E 2 Drive to home.
Each Police officer has been raising sponsorship money and local businesses have been generous in supporting the ride. Money tins placed around the community have been filling up.
"We've had several donations over $500 already while an elderly man and his wife came in the station to give us $20 each as they thought the cause so important," says Gary Bombay. "When I'm on foot patrol people stop me to say they'd learnt to swim in that pool and they think it important that their kids do too."
If the money is not found for the urgent maintenance of the pool, it may have to close permanently which would cost $50,000.
The ride will be taken in three stages; from Kumara to Arthur's Pass, to Waddington, and via the old West Coast Road to New Brighton. Local businesses Heller Meats and the Funky Pumpkin, New Brighton, have provided almost all the food for the ride.
Fire and Police will provide the support crew.
Among the police cyclists there is a lot of talent and experience while the Central New Brighton Principal Brian Thompson is a Coast to Coast veteran.
Ex pupils or previous New Brighton residents are encouraged to participate too. Any one wishing to make a donation should post it to P O Box 18544 New Brighton, or drop it in to New Brighton Police.
"We think it important enough to give our time for this cause," says Gary Bombay. "It's important for children to learn to swim."