Helipad takes Kaiwaka to new heights

 

Cheryl Anderson could well be considered the life blood of the Kaiwaka Sports Complex. This is not to belittle in any way the total community input and support, but her boundless energy makes sure things get done, the whole place ticks over and, of course, when new projects arise, is first in line with fundraising ideas for good causes.

“A few months ago we decided to install a PAL (Pilot Activated Lighting) system on our floodlights,” Cheryl says.

This means that when there is a medical emergency in Kaiwaka in the hours of darkness and the rescue helicopter needs to land at the Sports Complex, which is an accessabile central point, the pilot can activate the floodlights himself from inside the cockpit, rather than having to call out our volunteer Fire Brigade just to switch on the lights.

“A PAL system costs about $2300, and I thought, seeing as it's a project that benefits the whole community, I'd see if the community would like to offer some donations towards it,” adds Cheryl. “I was anticipating getting a few donations and then thinking that the KSA could cover the shortfall.”

Small community to the rescue! One post on the Kaiwaka Community Facebook page and less than 24 hours later over $3000 had been pledged. So then in typical Cheryl Anderson style she thought ‘why not keep going and see if we can raise enough money to build a helipad.’

More advertising for donations via Facebook and the Kaiwaka Bugle, and once all the donations from local businesses and individuals were added up the total came to over $6500.

“What a great effort,” says Cheryl “and it was heartwarming to hear stories from some people who had made donations, telling me about how the rescue helicopter had helped in saving the lives of their loved ones.”

The entire project was going to be fairly costly and included some extensive drainage of the site first, but once again the community helped out. Local contractors did the earthworks for free, local concrete guy Phil Keen laid the pad, labour free, and Atlas Quarries gave a generous discount on the aggregate and concrete.

“So we've managed to build the helipad, install a dedicated floodlight and install the PAL system all for about $7000,” says Cheryl, justifiably proud on behalf of the community.

Last Thursday’s opening ceremony was really a coming together of the community to check out the helipad and celebrate how everyone has helped to, literally, get this valuable project off the ground.

SUPPORT: The new helipad at Kaiwaka Sports Complex has been a truly community funded project.

By Rob Pooley