Plenty of backing for free barbecue

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Opening the Cromwell barbecue this week were (from left): Central Lakes Trust chief executive Paul Allison (crouching), Cromwell Lions Club members Trevor Holland and George Clearwater, Metrografix and Design owner Andy Reddy, Metalcraft Roofing manager Daniel Stewart, Central Lakes Trust chairman Duncan Butcher, and Cromwell Lions Club president John Lister. Photo by Rosie Manins.

John Lister, president of the club, said it first thought of establishing a free community barbecue about 18 months ago and was grateful for the support it had received from residents and businesses.

The gas-powered barbecue set into a stainless steel bench on a concrete pad under a pergola was worth about $13,500, but the club built it for much less thanks to donated time, labour and materials, he said.

Otago Polytechnic stone masonry students based at the Cromwell campus did all the stone work, using stone donated by the polytechnic.

The barbecue plate is heated when a button is pressed and automatically turns off after a certain time.

During summer, the Central Otago District Council will arrange for the area to be cleaned twice daily, while the club will monitor and replace gas year-round.

The Central Lakes Trust will reimburse the club for the cost of purchasing the barbecue and other items which were not donated.