Competitors to enjoy Wi-Fi access

Masters Games competitors will this year be able to access free Wi-Fi from the games village, thanks to an extension of the Wanganui District Council's wireless internet network.

Wanganui Mayor Annette Main said this part of the installation, which extends across Springvale Park, has been timed to coincide with the Masters Games.

"Wanganui is starting to roll out a free Wi-Fi network and making Springvale Park a Wi-Fi area makes sense when we will have thousands of visitors from New Zealand and overseas here for the Masters Games.

Once the Games are over, the Wi-Fi will remain as part of the central and urban network."

Ms Main said anyone with a Wi-Fi enabled device would be able to check their emails or their bank account details, browse the internet or find out what time their sporting fixture is.

She said the network was slowly being rolled out, although it was taking longer than the council had anticipated.

"We will announce each new area as it becomes part of the network so people know where they can access Wi-Fi in Wanganui."

Free Wi-Fi access is currently offered in the area around the Davis Library, Queens Park, the riverfront area from the i-Site to the PS Waimarie berth, the Gonville Café Library and Gonville Shopping Centre and Victoria Park, as well as through a range of private businesses including restaurants and cafes.