Today there was the site blessing for our local swimming pool. The blessing was delivered, speeches given, the sod was turned, and children sang.

I spent many hours with my older nieces and nephew at the old pool. Then, early one morning in 2006, it was rather sneakily demolished before protests could begin. The council said it was not repairable and demolition was necessary. They did not intend to replace it.

Since then, the community has worked to fundraise for a new pool. The same process resulted in the old pool’s construction in the 1930s when the pool was dug out by manual, volunteer labour. My house was built around the same time. Today’s ceremony, with the turning of the sod, marks the beginning of the new pool construction.

It was good to see several councillors there, and our local representative, who has supported the new pool all along, spoke well.

In the last week, I watched council workers clearing the site over my back fence.

Many trees along the perimeter are being retained including mature native trees such as kōwhai, tī kōuka (cabbage trees) and akeake, and also the elders – so I will be able to make elderflower cordial again this year. By this time next year, we may be hearing the happy sounds of children splashing in the new pool.