Mid-Canterbury’s latest economic drawcard has been described as money well spent amid challenging times. Methven’s Opuke Thermal Pools and Day Spa was officially opened on Wednesday by community leaders and Regional Economic Development and Tourism Minister Stuart Nash. The long-awaited opening of the $15 million facility follows several delays – the latest being due to supply chain issues and the latest Covid lockdown – after it was originally slated to open at the end of 2020. The project received a 50 per cent funding injection through the Government’s Provincial Growth Fund and is the third-largest project in Canterbury to receive backing through the funding stream. Following a tour of the facility, Nash described it as “world-class”. “This is the sort of project we envisioned helping when we set up the Provincial Growth Fund,” he said. “It’s going to provide a level of resilience to the local community. “It’s outstanding.”