Camp block underway

WORK has started on a new amenities block at the Himatangi Beach Holiday Park as hosts Margaret and Dennis Penney settle into the year after a relatively quiet Christmas-New Year holiday season.

The $80,000 facility, on an elevated site in the centre of the camp, will have wheelchair access and contain a shower, cleaning and linen rooms and a laundry.

“It’s right alongside the camp kitchen,” said Margaret, “and means that all the camp’s necessary working areas are in the one spot. It will make things much easier for the campers and less time-consuming.”

A crumbling 60 year-old brick toilet block was demolished to make way for the amenities structure, which is expected to be completed in about three months’ time.

The block is the second new camp facility recently provided by the Penney’s, with the roomy events centre near the office proving a popular addition.

“Many different groups used the room for various activities,” said Margaret, “and it was the hub for the excellent children’s activities run by Kris and Todd Power.”

Margaret said the camp enjoyed a busy Christmas with many visitors making use of the hot, settled weather to arrive early and stay on for a few extra days.

“The biggest thing was that there was no wind.”

Since then, however, visitor numbers have fluctuated, depending on the weather, though there had been a good crowd filling all sites for Waitangi Day weekend.

“The second wave of campers didn’t come in early January and so the overall rate has not been as good as other years,” said Margaret. “We have been full at times, but without the numbers.”

She said many campers who pitched up at Himatangi Beach this summer enjoyed the experience and had already booked to return – “so that part of it is really good”.