Coastguard HQ refit great for community

Saturday's story.

It was heartening to be able to report in Saturday's Chronicle that work has started on the upgrade of Coastguard Wanganui's headquarters.

Heartening, but a little scary ... so far only $445,000 of the $640,000 has been raised in the campaign in which the Chronicle is partnering Coastguard.

The organisation does not believe it has jumped the gun by starting work early, and the Chronicle shares its confidence that the full sum will be raised.

And it is certainly a promising sign to see the construction site notices going up, bolstering faith in the bid to bring the Wharf St facility up to the modern standards needed by an emergency operation which last year rescued more than 70 people.

The cramped and outdated conditions there are hampering what, at times, is a life-or-death service and they need to be improved. The organisation is responsible for 900 square miles of sea as well as parts of the Whanganui River where, on Friday, it was searching for a missing swimmer.

Already more than 200 boaties who rely on Coastguard have made donations and it is hoped others will be following suit.

And the call is also going out to businesses in the district to get behind the campaign.

Just as heartening as the start of work on the old building has been the response from those who are supporting Coastguard and we are sure that response will continue until the money is raised and the job is done.

We'll keep you posted.