Editorial: Keep oldies' station on air

Village Radio in danger of going under. Studio: Neil Walsh (technician and panel operator).

Time may be catching up with Tauranga's blast from the past, Village Radio.

The station, which celebrated its 30th year on air in April, is struggling to find the $1200 to $1300 a month needed to meet overheads.

Last month, station manager Bonnie Leonard said with only $1700 left in the bank and no prospect of a big injection of money, it was only a couple of months from closing.

The main reason it is under financial pressure is because fewer people are visiting the station's home in the Historic Village.

Vital fundraising deadlines were also missed when it changed from a charitable trust to an incorporated society this year.

I climbed the stairs to the station for the first time last year while strolling through the mostly empty village with my daughter.

We were greeted by a friendly volunteer who showed us the impressive record collection while an announcer was busy playing classic songs in the broadcasting booth.

I left with the impression the station operates as a working museum while also providing a vital service by keeping many elderly residents company throughout the day.

The council says costs in the village are allocated in a similar method to those used by commercial landlords.

That's fine, it means everyone is treated the same, but it does not recognise the valuable service the station delivers.

Nor does it recognise the massive effort of the volunteers.

Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby says council has asked for a full review of the village's finances and has offered to help the committee find a short-term solution. I also question the council's priorities. Surely a non-commercial station that caters for the musical tastes of older residents should be supported under the council's Age Friendly City policy?