Charity spreads warmth for sports clubs

Rotorua Wake and Ski Club president Ian Barker and member Gordon Wood. Photo / Ben Fraser

A national charitable organisation is taking the chill off for some of Rotorua's sports clubs.

Project Litefoot's lead programme LiteClub, with support from Tasman Insulation, has installed insulation at the Rotorua Wake and Ski Club.

LiteClub involves a field team visiting community sports clubs and making changes to reduce their running costs and free up more money for sport.

Rotorua Wake and Ski Club treasurer Paul Laing said he came across Project Litefoot in a website but initially didn't think there was "a lot in it for us".

"When they came back to us and said they would install insulation in our club room we thought 'you beauty' and went for it."

Mr Laing said at night the club room temperature would "plummet as soon as the sun went down".

"She was a bit of an icebox at night that's for sure so when the insulation was installed, it was noticeable almost immediately."

Mr Laing said having an insulated club room would make a big difference to all the clubs who used the space.

"Other clubs will be able to use it a bit more because it won't be known as an icebox like it was.

"It will also have a significant impact on our electricity bill. Before we were thrashing the heat pump to keep the room warm and now we don't have to.

"It wasn't the end of the world but the club room definitely feels more useable and welcoming now."

The charitable organisation has visited 436 clubs nationwide so far, making changes expected to save them a cumulative $2.5 million over the lifetime of the installed products.

The Rotorua Golf Club, Waikite Rugby and Sports Club, Lake View Golf and Country Club, and Rotorua Badminton Hall Club have all benefited from Project Litefoot's programme and are expected to save more than $28,000 collectively.

LiteClub will be returning to Rotorua in late February for a further round of improvements.