Green light for Snell statue

At the meeting of the Wanganui District Council held on 30 July 2007, the go-ahead was given for the commissioning of the Peter Snell statue.

To commemorate Peter Snell breaking the world mile record at Cooks Gardens in 1962, the Council's Community Development Committee approved in principle, in March 2006, the commissioning of a life sized bronze statue depicting Snell finishing the race. Apart from a bronze plaque at Cooks Gardens, there is no permanent recognition of this world renowned sporting feat in Wanganui.

Chair of the Council's Sport and Activity Committee Cr Philippa Baker-Hogan said that Council's resolution to provide $5000 to assist towards the total of $70,000 needed to commission the work means that it can now go ahead and be ready by February 2008.

Councillor Baker-Hogan said that with the Council unanimously agreeing to contribute $5000 from the Wanganui Inc Impact Fund "this project can proceed and will have ongoing historical, sporting and economic benefits for Wanganui".

"We must thank Powerco Wanganui Trust which gave $25,000 and matched donations from the community up to another $25,000; the William McAlpine Duncan Trust for its donation of $10,000; the Wanganui Chronicle for its generosity in providing free advertising for the appeal; and the Wanganui community for its contributions to fund the statue.

"This is another great indication of what this community can achieve in a short time frame."

Cr Baker-Hogan said that special thanks are also due to the Cooks Gardens Trust Board, Sport Wanganui and members of the Sport and Activity Committee for their enthusiasm and effort.

The sculptor chosen to provide the statue is Chris Elliot, who was also commissioned to create the statue of John Ballance.