Selwyn Times: September 19,

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2018 Locally Owned www.star.kiwi GET CONNECTED WITH Scorch Broadband Market theme Dress-up day to mark anniversary of women’s suffrage Pages 8 & 9 Page 23 Love of the game Rural lifestyle goes hand-in-hand with netball 0800 726 724 www.scorch.co.nz Sports groups surprised by new charging plan • By Georgia O’Connor-Harding THE POSSIBILITY of a district -wide charge for all sports clubs using recreational reserves has come as news to Selwyn’s major sporting associations. Most organisations have little knowledge the district council is considering bringing in a consistent charge. The Selwyn Times revealed last week the charge would be to help address ongoing issues for sports clubs struggling to pay their leases. The district council previously told Selwyn Times the current situation is very “complicated” where no fees are charged for some sports clubs while for others a fee is levied for the same level of service. Ellesmere Cricket Sub Association president Richard Clark said he hadn’t heard a lot about the district-wide charge but will be attending a Lincoln Domain board meeting and hopes to get more information. He said from a Lincoln Cricket Club perspective it pays an annual fee for the use of the grounds at the Lincoln Domain which is “pretty minimal.” “The debate becomes how much is that going to be in terms of a fee number for everybody,” he said. Ellesmere Rugby Sub Union chairman Chris Thornley said it is unaware of any of its sports clubs being charged a rental for the grounds it uses. “We know nothing about it and we find it concerning that they are looking to put a levy on every club because there is not a lot of money in rugby clubs now let alone getting charged.” •Turn to page 4 •Darfield Tennis Club, page 5 Waihora president calls it quits • By Jacob Page MISSION accomplished. Waihora Rugby Club president Chris Thornley has called time on his tenure after 27 years. His efforts were recognised at a club function at Tai Tapu on Friday night. The 51-year-old farrier and horse trainer said with new clubrooms and the senior team winning the Country Combined and Ellesmere double, the time was right to step down. “It’s been an amazing time and I’ve met so many people through this role and rugby in general, that it’s really been a great ride,” he said. •Turn to page 4 COMMITMENT: Chris Thornley won’t be lost to the Waihora Rugby Club in spite of calling time on his 27-year tenure as president. PHOTO: GEOFF SLOAN ​ Local Faringdon kid, Ethan Hunt is a pupil at Lemonwood Grove. It has learning landscapes for 750 students. Get in the learning zone at Faringdon. Families are learning that the smart choice for education options is Faringdon. No other residential development in Canterbury has two preschools and a purpose built primary school as part of its master plan, not to mention a brand new secondary school just down the road. With sections between 400 and 576m 2 , prices starting at $167,000, and titles available in December - it’s the perfect time to come out for a Faringdon field trip! Faringdon COURTS selling now. Call Bruce Harvey 0800 667 849 or visit www.faringdon.co.nz Visit our info centre, corner Goulds and East Maddisons Rds. Wednesday to Sunday, 12pm - 4pm. You’re home.