Manurewa’s croquet lovers, sea scouts and model boat enthusiasts have all been granted new community leases.
Manurewa Local Board has approved a 10-year lease with a 10-year right of renewal for the croquet club in Russell Road.
The Scout Association gets a five-year lease with a five-year right of renewal on the group-owned building at Keith Park on behalf of Weymouth Sea Scouts.
The Northern Maritime Model Society gets a 10-year with 10-year right of renewal lease on its Wattle Farm Ponds Reserve clubhouse, and landowner approval for an on-site container.
The town’s croquet club, established in 1921, celebrates its centenary next year. Casual play is encouraged, with anyone wanting to take up a mallet able to pay a small green fee, and members also collaborate with local retirement homes on a 10-week programme introducing the game to residents.
But the club is also committed to shaking off the tag of being for older people, engaging with the Home School Association to teach the game to its students in a three-week programme that has already proved successful.
“The board has helped the croquet club with mowing costs and new balls via grants rounds, and we are happy to do so because it’s great to see people of all ages getting out and staying active,” board chair Joseph Allan says.
Weymouth Sea Scouts boast a long history too, having been in the area since the 1960s.
Its Keith Park premises are primarily storage for sailing vessels and safety equipment, with the site used to launch kayaks and sailing boats, hold meetings and activities.
