10 Apr. 2018. In very disappointing news today, Regenerate announced its decision on the future of the Otakaro Avon River Corridor, confirming that a 'green spine', up to 150m-wide would be developed along the river. The East Lake Trust's proposed 2.2km flatwater sports facility has been dropped, with Regenerate implying that the lake's need to pump 43 million litres of water per day out of the underlying aquifers to keep the lake free of algal blooms would impact the city's drinking water suppies and give rise to greater downstream flood risk and affect the lower river's banks and existing ecology.

So, it looks like we must bid farewell to the East Lake and all the prospect it held of providing a truly world-class sporting facility in the heart of Christchurch. It's very sad news that will disappoint all South Island dragon boaters. We must, however, record our sincere thanks to Meri Gibson for her sterling work, as a member of the East Lake Trust, in promoting the lake.

Potentially, all is not lost, though. We'll need to await the general response to the decision which is certainly less than inspiring and seems headed for mediocrity. Watch this space - we may be urging personal engagement from the dragon boating community to rally around to tell Regenerage and the Christchurch City Council what we think should be decided...