New deaf centre has members impressed

JASON OXENHAM/Auckland City Harbour News

GREAT PLACE: Manager Roger Wyrill is enjoying the Auckland Deaf Society's new premises in Balmoral.

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Roger Wyrill loves his new workplace.

The Auckland Deaf Society manager enjoys a multi-million dollar building every day he goes to work.

The new centre on Balmoral Rd has been under construction for the past two years.

It was officially opened this month by disability issues minister Ruth Dyson and society members.

The building features offices, sports facilities, meeting rooms and a bar and recreation centre for members to meet and socialise.

Roger says it will be a valuable community asset.

"The feedback from our members is that they are very
impressed with the modern style.

"They’ve never seen anything like it. You name it, we have it."

The society has been based at 164 Balmoral Rd since 1958, when supporters raised money to buy a villa on the site.

Two years ago the old building was knocked down to make way for the new centre.

Funding was secured when the society sold part of their land to the nearby Balmoral Warehouse for $3 million.

The new centre is wired with a hearing loop and video conferencing so members can interact with other deaf people around the country.

"Communication flows freely here and people are comfortable being themselves," Roger says.

"They can acknowledge their identity here."

Finance administrator Raymond Jenkins has been involved with the society since 1991.

He says the new centre has all the latest technology.

"It’s a place for people to have access to their own culture and communicate using their first language, which is New Zealand sign language," he says.

For more information, visit www.auckland-deaf.org.nz.

- © Fairfax NZ News