Piopio pool sponsorship confirmed

8 October 2018

Piopio’s community pool has secured sponsorship support from The Lines Company (TLC) for the fourth consecutive year.

Piopio Community Swimming Pool Charitable Trust chair Shaun Carter said TLC was a major contributor to the pool which relies solely on grants, sponsorship, donations and entry fees to operate.

“The pool is a huge asset to our community and TLC’s ongoing support is pivotal,” Shaun said.

“Without that sponsorship, and support from other sponsors and the wider community, a lot of local kids simply wouldn’t learn to swim – it’s really that simple.”

During the 2017/18 swimming season more than 1500 community swimming lessons were provided at the pool as well as swimming sessions for both Piopio Primary and college students.  Approximately 70 students attended after school learn-to-swim programmes with the pool used by 35 swimmers from the local swimming club.

Shaun said Piopio was lucky to have a pool at all.  The trust is currently upgrading the changing facilities, installing new flooring, showers, toilets and an outdoor shade area. “This is in stark contrast to many other smaller communities which have seen their pools fall into disrepair through lack of support.”

“Funding is always a challenge for us so sponsors like TLC are incredibly important.  But we also have huge community support which is great.”

TLC chief executive Sean Horgan said the Piopio pool sponsorship fits well with the company’s aim of supporting projects focused on children, youth and families.

“We’re very happy to continue our sponsorship because this is a vital facility, doing good work to make our community a better place.  In that respect, continuing our support for the pool was an easy decision for us,” Sean said.

The trust’s major fundraising event, a dinner with guest speaker and former Olympian Rob Waddell, is being held Friday, 12 October. Tickets are available from PGG Wrightson in Piopio and Te Kuiti.