02/06/2005

Centre opens for horsey business

Otorohanga is heading towards becoming New Zealand's next international equestrian centre.
That's if a few locals have their way.
The piece of land to the west of the bridge out of Otorohanga, and part of Island Reserve, has been very under-utilised said Otorohanga mayor Dale Williams.
It has now been renamed as the new Otorohanga Equestrian Centre.
Alison Drummond of Otorohanga Adult Riding Club said her club and Otorohanga Polocrosse Club are working towards making the equestrian facility available for the whole community.
"It will be for people to just ride around, or for organisations to hold events - and not just for those who can afford to pay big money," she said.
"For example, use of other equestrian venues cost up to $1000 a day.
"It will be set up so anyone can use it, and the club is hoping to have a special dressage arena, with the aim of developing it to international standards."
A major upgrade is planned for February - the land will be ploughed up, levelled and regrassed.
The club has recently applied to Trust Waikato for a grant to purchase mobile showjumps.
The Island Reserve is run by a management committee, with representatives from all the sporting bodies that use it. Mr Williams said they either contribute in cash or "in kind".
The committee is looking for more sports clubs to use the Island Reserve.
The council has granted the committee $11,000 per year to manage the reserve, and also helps with maintenance.
On Saturday, the Otorohanga Adult Riding Club held an open dressage day - its second in two months (results, P10).
Last time they received 30-40 entries. This time entries increased to 67.
The riding club held its first big event (NITS - North Island Teams Event) when Eric Tait was mayor - four years ago, and is keen to do it again.
Late last year the polocrosse club built 120 pens over the bank, and those are now available for anyone to use.
In February, the Harness Masters' Games (horses and gigs) will be held at the venue, run by Waikato Harness Club.

Pilot scheme takes flight

Otorohanga community pulled together to establish its Trade Training Centre, and it's now celebrating the feat.
The concept of the Trade Training Centre was launched to the public in December last year, with organisers pleading to the community to help raise the $25,000 needed to establish the initiative.
Due to concern at the amount of youngsters leaving the area, it was hoped the centre would encourage school leavers to gain qualifications and long-term employment locally.
Six months on and the centre has already welcomed its first intake of students - and will be officially opened this afternoon.
Based on the corner of Turongo and Hinewai Sts, the public are invited to visit the Trade Training Centre facilities from 3.30pm onwards, with the official opening at 5pm.
Described as a "partnership between Otorohanga and Wintec," the idea of a training centre was met with enthusiasm, particularly from the business community who quickly pledged their support.
A Wintec advisory group comprising 12 individuals from various organisations, including Wintec, Otorohanga District Council, community groups and local businesses - was established early in 2004 to organise and plan the initiative.
Advisory group chairman Andrew Gilltrap said the enthusiasm shown for the project had been outstanding.
"I've had a number of local employers pledge money to the cause," he said.
Equipment and support was also pledged by local tradespeople and the council agreed to underwrite the facility set-up and first year's rental for the centre's premises.
The Mayor's Taskforce for jobs, which claims to ensure that anyone under the age of 25 who wants to work can, also contributed just under $50,000 for the cause.
Otorohanga's Trades Training Centre is being considered a pilot scheme, with other towns around the country watching with interest to see how successful it is.
If the centre proves a success, the scheme may be introduced in other areas.
Wintec Te Kuiti campus manager Marlene Perry said the centre was an exciting project that has only been able to go ahead because of the determination of the community.
"It is quite rare to get any particular course of this worth and significance in a rural town because usually smaller communities cannot afford it," she said.
The centre will run 12-month courses, which will earn students a National Certificate in Engineering and contain appropriate electives to take them in to an engineering or mechanical career.
The course offers first aid, customer service, measuring, time management, electrical circuits, welding and general engineering, as well as practical work experience carried out in local workshops.
Other courses, such as building and. timber working, electrical, hospitality and expanded computer training may be established if the demand arises.
However, at a recent council meeting chief executive David Hall reported that the number of students currently attending the centre was lower than expected. He said this was largely due to the course beginning, later than originally planned.
Enrolments for the mid-July intake are currently being advertised and it is hoped more students will register their interest.
To make the course viable the Trades Training Centre needs about 16 students each year.