Pool party for community

Dave Kirk

Raising more than $40,000 to upgrade their school swimming pool has been a big ask for the Pongaroa community. But, this Saturday, a pool party and triathlon to celebrate the opening of the new pool will be one of the biggest days in the small village's recent history, says resident Dave Kirk.

"It's our big day out," he told the Dannevirke News.

For Pongaroa School principal Maria Dacre, the pool, which also belongs to the community, means children will have all the advantages their city cousins enjoy.

"We want our children to love the water and be safe as well," she said. "To raise more than $40,000 in just three terms is an amazing example of how our community has come together. This will be a big weekend of celebration and a pool party like no other."

A grant from the Eastern and Central Community Trust helped the project too.

"We've a brand, spanking new pool which looks phenomenal," Ms Dacre said.

The pool has an automated filter system and parents have painted the pool's interior.

"As well as regular swimming lessons from an outside instructor, our children also swim during their lunch times and the pool will be a wonderful asset," Ms Dacre said. "Fayln Hoggard, our office administrator, and Tracey Sorensen recognised if we could get an outside swimming instructor to give regular lessons to our children, the benefits would be huge."

Pre-schoolers in the village also have swimming lesson and Ms Dacre said they now arrive at school water confident.

As well as the pool opening, there will a triathlon for all ages in Pongaroa on Saturday, with registrations at 1.30pm. The pool-opening ceremony will be held at 2pm.

"We want to include everyone in the fun," Ms Dacre said. "And in true country style, the day will end with a sausage sizzle and home baking."