Timaru Civic Trust: The year that was

David McBride

​December is a month of reflection.

While our elected representatives in Wellington may need to assess the year past by viewing facts and figures, a provincial community might take a hands-on approach.

Indeed the physical improvements in Timaru this year have been significant. New sporting facilities have been realised; others under way.

There was one major disappointment - this community had been asked to facilitate the redevelopment of New Zealand’s research facilities at Antarctica, but then had to accept the abandonment of that project.

Sadly, a well-organised programme of public involvement was promptly dissolved, when the level of funding required of central government was shown to be unrealistic.

However, on a more positive note, substantial new construction projects in Timaru have indeed materialised this year in sporting and cultural facilities ‒ either constructed, or have received further commitment from the management board.

The redevelopment of facilities at Fraser Park shows the strength within the Timaru community to maintain and enhance important amenities.