Eastern Bay Energy Trust grant music to the ears of brass band
The demands of a punishing rehearsal schedule means a 60-year-old Commerce Street building is almost a second home to the 40-plus members of the EBOP Brass Band.
In the current lead-up to the New Zealand Brass Band Championships, at which the local band will defend its current place as B Grade Champions, members can be at evening practices two or three times a week, in conditions best described as spartan.
That’s soon to change however, as a grant from the Eastern Bay Energy Trust’s Community Development fund is about to make the band rooms feel far more like home.
EBOP Brass Band has received over $17,500 to upgrade electrical work and fittings and create a warmer, drier environment in the band room, by the installation of a ventilation system and heat pumps. Security will also be improved, with new lights and alarm system.
Band Secretary Pam Yardley describes the planned improvements as “a dream come true”.
“Our only income is from subscriptions, so we are constantly fundraising for essentials, like sheet music and instruments and the band rooms have tended to come a poor second.
Increasingly it’s become evident that the rooms need to be upgraded for the health, safety and comfort of our members and the supporters who come along to listen to them. As well as being warmer and able to easily make a cup of tea, we will no longer have to walk half the length of the room in darkness to turn on the lights,” Mrs Yardley says.
She says plans are well in place to action the refurbishment as soon as rehearsals for the Nationals are completed in mid-July.
Eastern Bay Energy Trust made a further grant from the Community Development fund at its June meeting, providing just over $3,000.00 to the Probus Club of Opotiki, to purchase a portable public address system.
Trust Chairman, Don Lewell says the retirees group meets at the Opotiki Golf Club, which will also benefit from the use of the sound system.
Probus Club of Opotiki spokesman Ray Thomson says a key function of the club is to provide a lively programme of good public speakers, so a sound system is essential for their members to get the most out of the presentations.
Grants approved by the Trustees at meeting held on Thursday, 30 June 2016
EBOP Brass Band ($17,584.65) towards heating, ventilation, security lights, alarm system and appliances.
Probus Opotiki ($3,047.50) towards the purchase of a PA sound system.
Rotary Club of Whakatane Sunrise ($1,000) towards art exhibition lighting at the Sunshine and Canvas fundraising event.
Whakatane District Council ($175,000) towards the Whakatane Airport airfield lighting infrastructure upgrade.