Mayor Dan was joined by Club Patron Elizabeth Brocherie to cut the ribbon and he also shared a few words with special guests and members of the club.

“This was a particularly special day for me, because I have been a strong supporter around the council table of this amalgamation between Rangiora and Southbrook Tennis Clubs and this development.

I think this is a tremendous asset for our District, now and for the future.”

Council invested $1 million towards the cost of the construction, of the new facility - and the rest was funded by the clubs, from the sale of the Rangiora and Southbrook tennis clubs’ land.

Ongoing fundraising and hard work by the committee, and club members also contributed significantly to the development.

Mayor Dan says one of the main reasons why he and the council, were so willing to invest in this project was down to the passion of those driving it.

“We knew this partnership, between council and community, would be a sound one, and we weren’t wrong.

The four people that come to mind to me, that really drove this project are President Laurence Smith, Johnny Carter, Brian Heron and Jim Martin.

Without their vision, passion and perseverance this project would not have succeeded

Over the years, I have enjoyed regularly meeting, and catching up with them, as we worked to see this project come to fruition.”

The name for the whole complex or “sports hub” is Te Rakiora a name gifted by Ngāi Tūāhuriri.

Mayor Dan says Te Rakiora, is a name which has great significance to this district, as it was a settlement and mahinga kai site for Ngāi Tūāhuriri.

“It’s a name, for the current precinct, but it also allows for planned future growth.

Within Te Rakiora, we have the Mainpower Stadium, hockey turfs and of course tennis courts.

But it also includes the surrounding areas - Main Power Oval, which will see significant upgrades in the coming years.

Across the road we have the home of Football, with Maria Andrews Park, and of course the A&P Showgrounds just a bit further down the road, which has already been hugely successful over the past couple of years at hosting NPC Rugby.”

He says Te Rakiora is now a well-established home of sport in the Waimakariri  District.

“This was always our intention when we purchased the land, to create a sporting hub for the district.

I am incredibly proud of this partnership, between the Council and community.

It’s a showcase of what can be achieved, when passionate and proactive people, work together, for the greater good.

The future of local government will be more and more about collaborations with businesses, organisations and community groups.

To ensure Districts like ours, are able to provide, and fund all of the things, that make people want to live and work here.”