CYCLISTS HAIL APPROVAL OF VELODROME

Nelson’s cycling fraternity is celebrating this week, with confirmation that a $1.6 million velodrome is going ahead at Saxton Field. Tasman Wheelers president Malcolm Saunders described the facility as the ‘‘missing link’’ for Saxton Field and was adamant it would enhance the region’s reputation as a cycling mecca. The velodrome will include a 333-metre banked track and a 300m flat track, both asphalt, and will be a connection to local cycleway networks. It will also feature a cycle safety arena to teach children the skills required to ride on the road.  The velodrome will be built on land owned by the Tasman District Council – which is driving the construction of the project – and the construction period is likely to be 18 months, starting early next year. The region’s track cyclists train and compete at Trafalgar Park, but they have been looking at moving out to a purpose-built facility at Saxton Field for the past seven years.  

(The Nelson Mail Monday, November 17, 2014) 

HOME BUILDS WIN IN ST ARNAUD, RICHMOND

Two homes in the Nelson region have won national awards in this year’s Registered Master Builders House of the Year competition.  Inhaus Developments won the prize for best new home between $350,000 and $450,000 for their ‘‘timeless, classic’’ design in Richmond. The judges said it was built using high-quality materials including granite benches, American white oak flooring with generous skirting and architraves.  Harris Builders won the award for best new home between $450,000 and $600,000 for a family home on a sloping site overlooking Lake Rotoiti in St Arnaud. The judges said a ‘‘C shaped’’ construction formed a sheltered courtyard enabling the house to ‘‘step up’’ the hillside. A rear wing formed the children’s division while the front of the house featured cedar ceilings and a master bedroom with an ensuite. 

(The Nelson Mail Monday, November 17, 2014) 

GET SOLAR POWER FOR HOUSEHOLD USE ONLY

Solar power suppliers are advising homeowners to install solar electric systems which heat hot water and supply only household power. Their advice comes on the back of national electricity suppliers cutbacks to the amount they pay homeowners for their excess solar generated power put into the national grid. Meridian Energy had bought solar electricity at 25 cents a unit for the first 5 kilowatt hours generated and 10c after that, but it was recently dropped to 7c kilowatt during winter and 10c in summer. Contact Energy also slashed its rate by more than half, from 17c kilowatt to 8c. Frank Witoski, of Solar Electric Technology, said he had moved to systems that only created energy to meet homeowners’ daily appliance needs and heated hot water using existing hot water cylinders.  He encouraged people to use smaller 2-3 kilowatt solar power units. ‘‘People always looked at the buy-back returns because they always fed back into the grid, but now that does not stack up,’’ Witoski said. ‘‘So all the systems we design now cover daily power demand and hot water, which is about 40 per cent of a power bill.  People have to realise that the reduction in the buy-back rate does not mean solar is not worth installing anymore, they just have to consider what system size gives them the best return for their investment."

(The Nelson Mail Monday, November 17, 2014) 

BROOK CAMP REPRIEVE

Nelson City Council has told the remaining long-stay residents of the Brook Valley Holiday Park that they can stay until at least June next year. In a letter to camp dwellers last week, council parks and recreation team leader Gary Alsop said there would be no further decision on the future of the campground until the adoption of a new Brook recreation reserve management plan in June. The residents, down to about 25 from the 50 living there in March when the council dropped the bombshell that it intended to close the camp by the end of the year, have been fighting to be allowed to stay on. For some, it has been their home for many years.  It said there would be further consultation next month with an opportunity for written submissions, with the draft plan issued for further written and verbal submissions in March-April ahead of the decision. 

(The Nelson Mail Thursday, November 20, 2014) 

INDOOR MINI GOLF

An indoor mini golf centre is set to open on December 6 in Selwyn Place in Nelson in the former Video Village premises near McDonald's.  Troy Warring got the idea for the venture while watching mini golf in Hanmer.  It will have a section for glow-in-the dark clubs and balls.  Video Village has moved to Crisps Lane off Hardy St, and property owner Gaire Thompson said the stock would be sold off or someone could buy it and operate the business.

(The Nelson Mail Saturday, November 22, 2014) 

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

"May today bring you the joy that escaped from your reach yesterday, the focus to strive for a better tomorrow, the motivation to live victoriously today."