Catch All Newsletter Issue # 4

16 Dec 2009

welcome…

Welcome to the latest issue of our newsletter specifically for all group users of Southern Lakes District community sporting facilities.

We always welcome your feedback and there’s a special incentive this month to tell us what you think. You can also read about our holiday opening hours, winter bookings and Ricki Herbert’s new football academy at Jack’s Point.

It just remains for me to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year on behalf of everyone at Lakes Leisure. Here’s to a successful year for your team in 2010!

Until next time

Fiona
CEO

summer of sport

Bring your team down to the Events Centre to watch some top quality sporting action this summer. Many matches are absolutely free so why not combine a training session in the gym or pool with catching a few overs of cricket or cheering on the Southern Steel in their pre-season tournament?

Fixtures include:

Rugby

National Rugby Sevens, 9-10 January (Queenstown Recreation Ground)
Super 14 Highlanders v Western Force, 10 April

Cricket

Under-19 World Cup, 15-19 January
Australia v New Zealand Women’s ODI, 3 March
Otago v Canterbury (4 day), 12-15 March

Netball

Southern Steel pre-season tournament, 19-21 February

For more information visit www.lakesleisure.co.nz > Events or call 0800 111 290.

holiday opening hours

Here’s a summary of schedule changes over Christmas and New Year:

Christmas Eve – Queenstown Events Centre, Alpine Aqualand, Alpine Health & Fitness and Wanaka Community Pool close at 5pm
Christmas Day – all facilities closed
Boxing Day – Wanaka Community Pool closed but all other facilities open as normal
New Year’s Eve – Queenstown Events Centre, Alpine Aqualand, Alpine Health & Fitness and Wanaka Community Pool close at 5pm
New Year’s Day – Arrowtown Memorial Pool is OPEN but all other facilities closed
2 January – Wanaka Community Pool closed but all other facilities open as normal

For full details of what’s open when over the holiday period, click here.

win a free pass!

Tell us what you think about our facilities for groups and be in to win a great prize. We’ll award a free 5-visit individual gym or pool pass for the best idea that helps us to meet your needs more fully.

Please send your feedback to Karen Gemmell at karen@lakesleisure.co.nz before 15 January.

coffee catchup

We’re also planning another informal gathering at which you can share your views with us and other sports group users. Come along at 3:30pm on Tuesday 2 February for coffee in the Events Centre’s ground floor leisure room.

Remember these sessions are solely for sports groups that use Lakes Leisure facilities. They’re a valuable opportunity for us to learn about issues that affect your organisation so please come along and help us to help you.

Contact Karen Gemmell in advance to let her know you’ll be coming and also to flag up any issues you’d like to discuss – email karen@lakesleisure.co.nz or call 03 450 9105.

winter 2010 bookings

We’re now taking bookings for winter season use of Lakes Leisure facilities. Remember it’s first come, first served so get in early. Even if you don’t know exactly which times and dates you’ll need, providing us with an indication at this stage will help us allocate slots evenly.

The closing date for bookings before we confirm days and times will be Sunday 22 February.

Please note that there is a new hire contract this season. One major change concerns payment terms:

- 50% of your booking value is due within 7 days of the booking being made to confirm your hire.

- The remaining 50% / balance (if there are changes to your booking during the season) is payable on the 20th of the month following the end of your season.

Click here to download a booking form or contact Michelle Calwell on 03 450 9005 or email michelle@lakesleisure.co.nz.

pricing changes – have your say!

A reminder that Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is consulting on the future pricing of recreation and sports facilities around the region.

The period for public submissions closes Friday 26 February so don’t miss this opportunity to have your say.

The draft Community Facility Funding Policy is available from council offices, libraries, the QLDC website, or by clicking here.

football academy at jack’s point

World Cup hero Ricki Herbert’s 82 Football Academy is taking its first courses for 9-15 year olds in the New Year. A series of 4-day programmes designed by the All Whites coach will be based at the Jack’s Point playing fields from 17 to 31 January.

New temporary facilities have been installed (thanks to Jack’s Point) beside the pitches including a kitchenette, toilet and two separate changing rooms. These will also be available to any group hiring the venue for games and training.

The idea of basing the academy in Queenstown came after the pre-season game between Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory at the Queenstown Events Centre earlier this year.

For more information visit www.82football.com.

turf news

All the rain and warm weather has meant the grass on our playing fields is shooting up! Our turf team has been busy keeping the fields in tip-top condition by regular mowing, repainting lines and turning them around quickly for different sports.

There are some big events coming up that require specific preparation. These include the Under-19 Cricket World Cup featuring a lot of high intensity matches on our First Class strip in just a few days. Playing strips on the Oval cricket block will be rotated to ensure wear and tear is minimised during the tournament.

Aside from the big international and regional games, the turf team is also responsible for maintaining community playing fields around the region including Pembroke Park in Wanaka and Lake Hawea Sports Field. So when you see all those sharp mowing lines around the district and feel the quality turf underfoot you can be confident Lakes Leisure has had its professional team on the job!

For more information on turf management click here.