In January two beach wheelchairs — free to use — worth more than $16,000 were donated by LJ Hooker and a local beach resident.
This was the first step and Cindy says the Waihi Beach community wanted to go further and provide easy access for all on to the beach. The project was guided by Waihi Beach Community Events & Promotions and local Dave MacCalman, of the Halberg Foundation.
Dave wanted more opportunities for people with disabilities to enjoy the outdoors and access Waihi Beach's coastline.
Dave, who gets about in a wheelchair, represented New Zealand at three Paralympic Games, yet the only time he had accessed Waihi Beach waves was from a quad bike in the 1980s.
"We drove it down there and then my wife then piggy-backed me into the water," he says.
He is thrilled the access mats will be ready in time for summer this year.
Fundraising for the $40,000 project was largely community driven with more than 80 per cent raised by businesses and individuals as well as a Givealittle page.
There are beach access mats at Mount Maunganui, Takapuna and Wellington. The difference is Waihi Beach community has made this happen through its own initiative and funding, Cindy says.
The mats will be laid near the mobility toilets at the north end of Waihi Beach.
Sixty metres of matting will be laid with another 20 square metres of matting placed beside it where wheelchairs can be parked.
The mats are made of recycled polyester and have a longevity of 8-10 years.
