Fountains not Fizzy

Fountains not Fizzy

Children needing a drink around sports grounds at Nelson College, Victory and Nelson Intermediate won’t be able to miss their local water fountains with their bright new mosaic bases.

The two fountains, outside the main entrance at the hospital and in the Franklyn Street lane, were put in last year as part of the ‘City Springs’ Action for Healthy Children project, with funding from the DHB’s Nutrition and Physical Activity programme (NPA).

To help get the fountains noticed, colourful mosaic tiles have been added around the bases. Funds from the Nelson Marlborough Hospitals’ Charitable Trust enabled Nelson artist, Maria Middlebrook-Wells, to create the eye-catching designs and complete the project. Maria says she used a water theme in her designs.

“I looked at birds that relied on water and fish and came up with a quite intricate design for one of the fountains,” she says. “The second design makes you feel as though you are standing in a big pond of goldfish when you are taking a drink from the fountain.”

The water fountain near the main hospital entrance had its tile base laid this week.

The Nelson Marlborough DHB supports the installation of drinking fountains across the region to promote fresh water and lower the amount of sugary drinks consumed by children. There is widespread evidence that fizzy or sweetened drinks play a role in weight gain and potentially diabetes in children.

NPA Director, Helen Steenbergen says targeting obesity in children is an NPA Action Area.

“Water contains no calories, fat, or cholesterol and is low in sodium It is nature's appetite suppressant, and it helps the body to metabolize fat,” she says. “Water not only keeps children healthy, but also helps them perform better in school. Dehydration reduces mental and physical performance and this can lead to poor concentration in the classroom.”

The Tasman District council has also installed a water fountain in the new Sundial Square in Richmond.

ENDS

© Scoop Media