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Sonia Lindsay and son Sam, 5, of Pleasant Point, deep in thought as they try to construct a dog from Lego blocks provided by sponsor Mitre 10 Mega. PHOTO: GRAEME STILWELL. |
Lego Olympics were literally a runaway success in Timaru over three days as nimble fingers clicked and snapped tiny blocks into shapes, models and racing cars. As well as a race against time to build models and structures and the usual static displays, the July 28, 29 and 30 event featured sections for all ages including a car race. The Lego 5000mm was a race between Lego cars, which gravity propelled in smashing fashion down a specially-built laned track. Each age group held section races and there was an overall prize for the car that travelled the furthest out into sponsor Mitre 10 Mega’s aisles. Those honours went to William Valentine of Gleniti School. The Lego Olympics have become an eagerly-awaited event in South Canterbury after first being held in 2008.
Pioneered then as a New Zealand first by the Rotary Club of Timaru South, the family fun event has captured the imagination of scores of young people pitting their skills against each other in building models to a pre-determined design and in anything-goes sections. Chief Judge Don George said the Rotary Club of Timaru South was excited about bringing the Lego contest back to South Canterbury year after year. “We had a brilliant turnout this year and this event is growing every year we hold it.” Convener Stuart Croft said the success of this year’s events meant the Lego Olympics will return in 2012.
“Rotary is about providing fun and learning experiences for our young people and judging by the laughter and delight, they certainly had plenty of both this year,” he said. He paid tribute to sponsors Mitre 10 Mega, Lego NZ and The Warehouse and to Ian Poulter, principal of Bluestone School, who each year provides the school hall as a venue for the event.
