The Star: February 08, 2024

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The Star Thursday February 8 2024 4 NEWS Local Videos WORTH A WATCH Find them all and more at: A weekend of fantasy in Christchurch Petrolhead heaven for thousands of car fans Buildings come down around Rydges Hotel Homebase expansion work gears up Cricket match for homicide victim Click the video tab starnews.co.nz Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz ‘Three years ago I’d never have imagined walking it’ • From page 1 It was during Covid in 2021 when Bilas finally chose drastic action, so she contacted the Christchurch Weight Loss Clinic when restrictions eased. “Covid probably taught us a bit more about looking after ourselves. It was a time to reflect,” she said. So Bilas took out a bank loan for a $36,000 gastric bypass because she did not meet the criteria for an operation through the public health system. Despite being clinically obese, Bilas had no life-threatening underlying health issues, leaving her in a global minority. A 2019 study by McGill University in Montreal estimated 15 per cent, or slightly more than 500,000 Canadians were categorised as obese but still metabolically healthy. “I had sore joints (her knees) but no diabetes, asthma, heart disease or high cholesterol, I was just a person in a bigger body,” Bilas said. She keeps her pre-surgery and current weight private, but is candid about the cause of her size issues since childhood in the Hawke’s Bay: Genetics. “My family were just bigger people. It’s just the way I was. I was never lazy and I ate healthy. “When you see people the size I was on TV programmes like The Big Ward, eating three loaves of bread and a roast chicken for lunch . . . I never ate big portions or binge ate.” Bubbly by nature, there was cause for serious contemplation after Bilas was discharged from hospital in April, 2021. “When I lost weight I realised I needed to up my KiwiSaver because I actually might need it. There were times when I thought I might not get old,” she said. If asked, Bilas points out conventional dieting did not cause her transformation. “I don’t expect anyone to TOUGH TEST: Addington Te Kura Taumatua principal Donna Bilas plans to walk the Les Mills City2Surf fun run for the first time this year. PHOTO: CHRIS BARCLAY think I’d done this by dieting because it creates a huge expectation on people who might think: ‘I’ve got to diet’.” Bilas has her own measured expectations when she sets off from Latimer Square at 9am: Completing the 12km route at Rawhiti Domain before organisers hand out prizes and pack up. Asked if one year she might attempt to run the iconic event, Bilas wasn’t getting ahead of herself. “Three years ago I’d have never imagined walking it, never mind running it.” • To enter the City2Surf visit www.city2surf.co.nz Find Your Dream Scooter Unmissable Second-hand Sale Happening Now EXTENSIVE RANGE OF OPTIONS, EXCLUSIVE TO MORE MOBILITY, ENQUIRE TODAY Prices starting from $2000 Visit our showroom, experience a test ride, and uncover the ideal scooter that suits your needs. All scooters have new batteries installed are fully serviced and come with a 12 month warranty. Clarence Street More Mobility Blehheim Road Splash N Dash 113 Blenheim Rd, Christchurch | 0800-666-222 | www.moremobility.co.nz | christchurch@moremobility.co.nz Open 9-5pm Monday to Friday & Saturday 9am-2pm
• From page 1 Christchurch would utilise existing facilities at the Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub, Parakiore Recreation and Sports Centre, Te Kaha – Christchurch Stadium and the Town Hall rather than build new venues, so Invercargill’s velodrome would be a prime option for track cycling. In more potentially good news for Mauger, the Southland Indoor Leisure Centre Charitable Trust, which runs the velodrome, did not discount involvement. “We would be open to working with others to bring any events to the venue,” said Trust chair and Southland District Council councillor Darren Frazer. “We have an amazing track and are home to some of the world’s best riders.” There had not been a formal approach to city or district councils, though when contacted by The Star Smith was receptive to a bid encompassing the South Island. “It’s early days and Nelson is up for the conversation. We’re prepared to look at it with an open mind. We could be a partner for some sports if it (a bid) was to proceed,” said Smith, who talked up the city’s multifaceted Saxton Field. “I think it’s a good initiative by Mayor Mauger. It’s longshot but it’d be wrong to completely rule it out. “The big question is what additional facilities would be required and what level of support would be available from the government if major facility upgrades were required. “The key is we’d have to be convinced the economic benefits outweigh the costs.” While Smith was happy to crystal ball gaze, a Dunedin City Council spokesperson said the Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz organisation had not considered the possibility of a joint bid. Christchurch surfaced as a potential replacement for Canadian province Alberta once its bid for 2030 was withdrawn on financial grounds last August, weeks after Australian state Victoria pulled out of hosting the 2026 Games for the same reason. Smith hoped the Commonwealth Games Federation, which selects the event’s host, would reassess its criteria after Victoria pulled out. “I’m hoping they have become a bit more realistic about the cost impacts on communities,” he said. The Commonwealth Games Federation stipulates the chosen city or region must stage athletics and swimming, with other locations able to be hosted elsewhere. Presenting the Games premier events poses problems for Christchurch with Ngā Puna Wai and an underconstruction Parakiore the only viable options. Halswell Ward councillor Andrei Moore’s territory covers Ngā Puna Wai and doubts it would be equipped to handle an event of the Games’ magnitude unless the Federation relaxed its criteria. “You would have to invest a NEWS 5 Invercargill also open to co-hosting games Darren Frazer VENUE MENU: Invercargill’s velodrome would be a sought-after location for any bid by Christchurch to host the Commonwealth Games, while the athletics arena at Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub would require significant upgrades. PHOTOS: GETTY/CCC Andrei Moore Thursday February 8 2024 The Star huge amount of money into getting it ready to keep them happy. At this point in time they need a red carpet rolled out at every single facility,” he said. “By the time you fit in the athletes, their people and the media you’ve already got a seat shortage and zero spectators. “You could put up temporary seating like they did (at Hagley Oval) for the Cricket World Cup (in 2022) but would that satisfy them (the Federation)? My thinking is probably not.” Even with temporary seating the Ngā Puna Wai track would struggle to accommodate 15,000 people. While Te Kaha could potentially hold the opening and closing ceremonies, Moore doubted it would meet Federation approval without an athletics track for the participants to march around. Moore joined Smith in hoping the Commonwealth Games Federation would reassess its hosting requirements. “They need to revamp the event entirely to make it sustainable and feasible. Cities should be holding off on bidding until they do that,” he said. “There’s not a single facility in New Zealand that wouldn’t require a huge amount of capital investment in it to satisfy the Federation.” Amazing Auto AAE Electric CARS • BOATS • TRUCKS • CARAVANS • 4WDS • TRAILERS • ELECTRIC & HYBRID VEHICLES For everything Auto Electric TREE TROUBLE? Call for a FREE Quote 03 384 9630 ANNUAL SALE ONLY WHILE STOCKS LAST BE QUICK! FIRST IN GETS! THIS HAPPENS ONLY ONCE A YEAR. 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The Star: February 08, 2024

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