Opening of the Arawa Canoe Club’s new clubrooms at Kerrs Reach

Sunday 7 September 2003

I'm told that these new rooms make people from the former home of the America's Cup jealous. Not, of course that I would want to mock those poor sods from that Babylon north of the Bombay Hills. But when you think how much we are paying for Auckland's roads it is good to know they are seeing more evidence that we know how to do things right, here in the South.

This new building is another reminder of how incredibly well Christchurch does as a city at building our collective community assets. I was reminded recently, when I opened another of our great public libraries, just how good we are at looking after our city and it's community needs. Today we see more evidence of that. We are a city that generally likes to move quickly from problems to solutions.

I say generally because sometime we do get a bit stuck. I would rather have liked all those who were against expanding our rowing options in this city to be here today to see what a growing and popular sport this is. I'm told that when the old building came down you had 180 members and that you are already up to 240 with the new building. I also heard that the Fire Service got their money's worth from the old building, torching it and putting it out about eight times as part of their training. Let's hope they notice that this is the new one!

I understand that Arawa Canoe Club is one of the central points for Christchurch multisporters. As a well known zerosporter I will take it on faith that multisporting is one of the fastest growing sports in New Zealand. You have also turned out some outstanding kayakers up to world champs levels in recent years. I hope that this splendid new building helps build on that record of success.

I'll close on this official bit by just making the observation that the reason the building is here is of course because of the calibre of the people that made it possible. One of our greatest secrets as a city is how far and high our people reach in terms of achievements right across the board. We are an amazing city. It is that mix of size, location and social cohesion that helps us have this firm foundation for achievement. Our greatest asset is this positive attitude toward life and challenges that I see evidence of again here today.