Thursday 10 July 2014

Rotary Back on Track

The Rotary Club of Botany East Tamaki in Auckland, New Zealand has built a strong reputation and core capability in project managing in partnership with the local City Council Board, parkland clean up and pathway building linking existing communities to new sports ground facilities. Last summer our Rotary club was engaged as a partner by the Glenn Family Foundation to build three significant all weather pathways located at or adjacent to local primary schools.



Over 2000 people attended the
Ngati Otara Bike Pathway opening
Founded more than 30 years ago by philanthropist Sir Owen Glenn, his foundation prioritised large wide-reaching projects in Otara, a low decile economically challenged suburb, which focus on education, family wellbeing and sport.

The pathways provide a safe accessible location for children and families to exercise. Many local children have never ridden a bike in their life, so the club worked with local trusts to also help provide schools with bikes and safety equipment. Children (and adults) can learn to ride in a safe, controlled location away from traffic. Bike riding improves cognitive processing as well as the obvious fitness benefit. Healthy eating is taught concurrently. Local sports and health organisations have an on-going relationship with each participating school.

Local contractors have been engaged in the construction of the paths. Where possible, resources have been sourced from local business. The pathways are constructed from low maintenance recycled materials donated by local business of which on-going supply of material has been made available to ensure safety and sustainable operation of the paths will take place.

The three tracks combined extend over two kilometres of mostly flat terrain surrounding parks will be utilised by more than 500 students per week from the ten surrounding schools within a 1.5 km radius.

The pathways are also used by joggers, mothers walking their babies and sports teams. Fitness equipment and family areas are planned follow on projects linked to these pathways, and the project’s core goals of family wellbeing.

The Ngati Otara Bike Pathway opening was shared by the season launch of the Vodaphone Warriors NRL rugby league team. In addition to over 2000 local residents and children who turned up, it was a great media opportunity for the club with press, radio and television coverage.


Botany East Tamaki Rotarian Andy Kramer
and Honorary Member Joan Swift
Our formula for success has to been to leverage the vocational base across our small club of under 30 members. Many hands have made light work. Under the guidance of a Project Coordinator, Past President Ewen Brunskill, a well-tested plan to build relationships, engage Council and external organisations, plan and project manage the stages of construction, with follow through to launch event and on-going sustainability has been built.  Add to this the extra excitement these three pathways have created in the club, and we can truly say that our Rotary is back on track.

This highly successful project earned the club a District Public Relations award plus a Rotary International Significant Achievement Award and was also published in the New Zealand Communities in Action booklet.

-          By Past President Mike Jaggs, Rotary Club of Botany East Tamaki

 

THE LOW DOWN

The building of the three local Bike Pathway was project managed by the Rotary Club of Botany East Tamaki on behalf of the Glenn Family Foundation and the council Local Board.

The Ngati Otara Park opening event was shared with the Vodaphone Warriors season opening with over 2000 people in attendance, plus press, radio and TV media.

Success formula involves partnerships and leverage.