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Project "Lift It Up" to raise Kaeo's rugby clubrooms above flood level is now under way, less than four weeks after the small Far North club and its grounds were swamped for the second time in five months.
The grand opening of the club's $250,000 refurbishment, after the first flood on March 29, was to have been on July 26. That date floated out the door, with new furniture, fittings and appliances, when floodwaters returned with a vengeance last month.
The flood of July 10 and 11 left the interior under 160cm of water as the area was drenched with 273mm of rain in less than 24 hours. That was 40cm higher than the 120cm level reached during the March flood.
The club, sited 4km north of Kaeo township near where the flood-prone Kaeo River empties into the Whangaroa Harbour, had insurance but not enough to cover the cost of all repairs.
The devastation has affected not only the 150-member club and its seven teams, but the wider community has also lost a venue for weddings and other events.
"The Swampies", as members of the 88-year-old Kaeo club are called, reckon they play true, grassroots rugby. Committee spokeswoman Clare Farrell says the club believes there's a need to foster their players so rugby continues to survive in small towns like Kaeo.
To help to achieve that, and ensure the clubrooms are never flooded again, planning has started on a project to raise the building by 2.4m on to a block basement. Changing rooms will be built underneath.
Clare Farrell says it's a big and expensive job and the club is appealing for support from people, businesses and organisations willing to buy building blocks. To buy and lay one block costs $5 and the club needs to "sell" a total of 4600 blocks to raise $23,000.
The scheme has raised $7000 so far. Club members are intending to take their appeal, and their pukeko (swamp hen) symbol, to other towns in Northland this week.
* If you want to help contact Clare Farrell or president Robbie Ball on (09) 4050479 or 0274 761070, or email kaeorugbyclub@slingshot.co.nz
