Waipara Four Square fire-hit childcare Lulu and Max finds new digs

Sabrina Sorensen, programme manager at Lulu and Max Waipawa says they are extremely grateful to the Waipawa golf committee for offering the club rooms. Photo / Paul Taylor

CAPTIONS: PT010721sabrina.JPG Sabrina Sorensen, programme manager at Lulu and Max Waipawa says they are extremely grateful to the Waipawa golf committee for offering the club rooms. Photo / Paul Taylor

Lulu and Max childcare in Waipawa finally has a site to operate out of - and cannot wait to move.

The out-of-school care facility was next to Waipawa Four Square, which was gutted by fire early on May 30.

It suffered extensive smoke and water damage and have since been operating from Waipawa Primary School.

"We lost pretty much everything in the fire," Tessa Flowers-Morrell, founder and managing director said.

Sabrina Sorensen, programme manager is excited about Lulu and Max Waipawa's new digs. Photo / Paul Taylor

She said it had been "awesome" to be at the school, but it needed renovations and they had to move out.

"We are quite lucky that we have been able to run out of Waipawa Primary School, they have been so supportive."

Flowers-Morrell said she had been ringing around to try to find a suitable site but until last week she had no luck.

"Everyone was saying no. We called churches, clubs..." she said.

"On Friday last week we were offered the use of the club rooms at Waipawa Golf Club and we said yes. We move in on Monday.

"It's worked well. Our outing days are Wednesday and Friday and that's when the golf club is in use by golfers.

"They have a cool outdoor space and we can use the outdoor area, the main room and the kitchen 'cause we do cooking with the kids.

"It's really great, and it's only three minutes from where we were."

Sabrina Sorensen, programme manager, said they were "grateful to have been offered such a cool space".

"The golf course committee have been so supportive. We're excited to get set up and our tamariki can't wait to get baking again."

Four Square Waipawa building owner Jason Wray said the site had been cleared and made safe.

"We are waiting on insurance and the fire report."

He said the tentative start for rebuilding was next month.

"We have started preliminary drawings, and procurement of labour and material. We are just waiting now."