The Buller District Council is still trying to decide what to do with Reefton's tiny community gym
From local democracy reporter Lois Williams:
The small facility, tucked into a section of the community centre, was closed in autumn for safety reasons when the country went into Covid alert level 2, and has not reopened.
Inangahua Community Board member Rachel Fifield, whose husband runs a private gym in Reefton, told a board meeting earlier this year that the community gym did not meet current safety standards for the industry.
Unstaffed gyms should have non-slip floors and accessible panic buttons, in case someone exercising alone had an accident, she told the Greymouth Star.
Since then the council had been told the gym was unsafe and was seeking advice on that, community services manager Rachel Townrow said.
"We had some submissions in June and July that the gym didn't comply with health and safety standards for unmanned gyms, so we're continuing the temporary closure while we check that.
"It may be that it's still needed in the long-term -- no decision's been made yet."
Although the gym had few subscription-paying members last year, several Reefton people have told the Greymouth Star they used it on a casual basis and missed the convenience of being able to work out at any time of the day or night.
The equipment including steppers, cross trainers, exercise bikes and weights, was bought partly with council funds and partly through community donations, including business sponsorships, about 10 years ago.
Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.
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64% Yes
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33.4% No
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2.5% Other - I'll share below
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Paddy Gower seeks ‘bloody great Cantab’
The Kiwi journalist drilling deep into the country’s biggest issues is on a mission to find the local greats.
Paddy Gower is looking for the Good Kiwi in every region to feature in his show, The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour.
To nominate a Good Kiwi, email reporters@press.co.nz with the name and a description of why your nominee should win. You an also share the local issues you think Paddy needs to tackle in the comments below.
It could be the woman whose knitting circle has made 3800 items for victims of domestic violence, the guy running the length of Aotearoa for mental health, or the woman with terminal cancer who spends her time campaigning to raise awareness and save lives.
“Basically I am looking for ... a bloody great Cantab who just gets on and gets things done. The criteria is somebody who has a positive attitude and makes the community a better place," Gower said.
“I will give this person the 'Big Ups' they deserve, and the community can celebrate them with me.”
A Good Kiwi will feature in each of Gower’s live shows in 14 centres through November and December. He will name the Cantabrian Good Kiwi at his Christchurch show on the evening of Friday, November 22, at St Margaret’s College.
The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour is a sort of book tour, sort of stand-up comedy, some journalistic yarns and memoir, and some motivational speaking - with a fair bit of local in each show.
Gower also wants to know about topics of interest in the region.
“I’m ... going to be taking on a big issue facing Canterbury and offering up solutions.”
A stinky suburb, a neighbourhood needing a round-about or a cathedral in disrepair - “I will make your views count”, he said.
“I'm touring the nation to spread positivity, optimism and good vibes.”
*For tickets to the The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour visit paddygower.co.nz