Domain given revamp

Cutting the celebratory cake at the opening of the Millers Flat sports hub are committee member and chairman of the Teviot Community Board Mark Jessop, left, and committee member Pat Garden. Watching in anticipation is Mr Garden’s granddaughter Fyfe Garden, 8, of Wānaka.

Millers Flat Recreation Group member and Teviot Prospects trustee Pat Garden said the money left from the community trust that had supported Faigan’s Store until it closed 10 years ago was the seed funding for the domain upgrade.

Teviot Valley Community Board and Teviot Prospects chairman Mark Jessop said the domain courts had become unsafe for the Millers Flat School annual sevena-side tournament.

Initial inquiries found it would cost nearly $500,000 to resurface the courts so for another $100,000-odd they were able to add a pump track, improved playground and a petanque court to the area, along with improved landscaping.

Toby Blackmore, 3, rules the pump track on his balance bike at the opening of the Millers Flat sports hub. PHOTOS: JULIE ASHER

Since closing as a shop Faigan’s had been converted to a cafe and run by Mr Garden’s niece and then Mr Jessop.

Hawkeswood Mining Ltd bought the cafe last year after it had been closed for about three years. It would trade as Benger at Faigan’s, run by the owners of the Benger Cafe, in Ettrick, who reopened Tapanui’s only cafe in 2024 after it had been closed for a year.