MEDIA RELEASE

15 December 2014

For immediate release

Water Based Hockey Turf in Central Otago a Step Closer

The reality of a water based hockey turf and an accompanying amenities building has taken a giant leap forward after the Central Otago Sports Turf Trust received a grant of $830,000 from Central Lakes Trust. This grant will provide a significant boost in helping to upgrade the Cromwell sand based sports turf into a new water turf as well as providing a small warm up turf. Funding will also be used to construct an amenities building at the turf site to provide changing rooms, toilets, showers, storage, a meeting room, kitchen and a first aid room. The turf is the headquarters for hockey in the Central Otago region and caters for 700 registered players from Queenstown, Wanaka, Roxburgh, Omakau, Alexandra and Cromwell.

“The current sand turf has deteriorated to the point it is now close to a health & safety issue” Michael Paardekooper, Chairman, Central Otago Sports Turf Trust said.

“This is the last sand hockey turf in New Zealand. Major hockey tournaments are no longer played on sand turfs. Because of this, to attract any major tournaments to Central Otago we must install a new water turf. Local Central Otago hockey players are at a disadvantage when competing outside Central Otago, as they play all tournaments on water turf. The amenities building has been on the “wanted” list since day one of the Turf in 1996”, he continued.

“This facility has a proven track record. It is well managed, heavily used and provides an important sporting headquarters for hockey in the region. We believe that an upgrade to water based turf and an associated amenities building is critical for the future development of hockey in this region” Paul Allison, Chief Executive, Central Lakes Trust said.

“Subsequently, this is the highest grant that the Trust has approved this year”.

This grant was one of sixteen totalling $1,458,487 which was approved at the Trust’s recent meeting.

“This bring the total grants approved in this financial year so far to almost $3 million and once again illustrates the Trust’s commitment to support charitable projects that are important to this region” Paul Allison said.

Shotover Primary School received a grant of $175,000 that will be used to assist in the building of a community hall on the grounds of the new school which will open in the first term next year. The floor space of 855m2 is much larger than originally planned in order to incorporate a full size court with an increased roof height to enable more sporting codes to use the facility.

“The full size court will provide a centrally located, community sports facility which will be available at peak times - after school and weekends - for community use. It will provide an alternative to the Queenstown Events Centre courts, often operating at capacity during peak hours, ensuring there is space to accommodate growth in existing and emerging sports as well as providing a base for sport during the hosting of large scale events/conferences at the Queenstown Events Centre that bump out community sport”, said Principal Ben Withford.

Otago Outdoor Education Trust received a grant of $50,000 towards the upgrade of its sewerage system at the Bannockburn School Camp. The work is to include an onsite pump station and installation and connection to the town sewerage scheme. The facility will also receive an exterior repaint of all the camp buildings plus recladding of one of its bunkrooms. The former Bannockburn School facility is well utilised by many schools, community and family groups with occupancy levels reaching approximately 4,000 bed nights each year.

“The new sewerage system will be better able to cope with the demands of camp occupancy volumes. It also aligns with CODC’s plans for a new track to run through and alongside the camp, providing a circuit around Bannockburn for walkers and cyclists. The pipeline will be laid alongside the track and the work will be undertaken while the track is being constructed, thereby reducing costs”, said Murray Oats, Chairperson, Otago Outdoor Education Trust.

In 2009 Central Lakes Trust helped the Cromwell Lions Club Charitable Trust purchase a Hyundai H1 People Mover (8-seater) for use by community and not for profit groups in the Central Lakes Trust region. The vehicle has travelled over 180,000 kilometres and is now due for replacement. This has been made possible with a further grant from Central Lakes Trust which will cover two-thirds of the upgrade costs.

“The success of this project has meant that it has enabled community groups to travel to events that they would otherwise not have been able to attend. The vehicle has been used more than 660 times in the last four years” said John Lister, Treasurer, Cromwell Lions Club Charitable Trust.

“Winger Central will continue to cover maintenance, servicing, registration, Road User Tax, Warrant of Fitness, tyres, extended warranty, cleaning and coordination of the bookings”.

Cromwell Bike Park is well on its way to achieving its fund raising goal with the help of a grant of $200,000 towards the construction of a bike park on Cromwell’s Achil/Ortive Street reserve, next to the Squash courts. It will include a paved Learn to Ride area, dirt pump tracks, a BMX track and a Jumps track.

“The bike park will provide a safe environment for bike riding for children and the chance to learn and develop skills in a traffic-free area. All family members can use the facility at the same time, providing a healthy activity together”, said Pierre Leyser, President, Cromwell Bike Park.

Several smaller projects also received “a helping hand” from Central Lakes Trust this month including the Upper Clutha Historical Records Society $1,965 for library shelving; Hawea Playgroup $5,000 towards the construction of a “Skyroof”; Otago Multiple Sclerosis $2,000 towards its Central Otago Field Officer service and $1,500 to The Parenting Place for the delivery of its Attitude programme in Central Otago High Schools in 2015.

Grants Approved December 2014

Central Otago REAP 2015 Courses $41,500

Central Otago Sports Turf Trust Turf Upgrade $830,000

Cromwell Bike Park Bike Park Construction $200,000

Cromwell Bowling Club Playing Surface $20,000

Cromwell Lions Club Charitable Trust Community Vehicle $17,920

Hawea Playgroup Construction of a Skyroof $5,000

Heartland Life Education Trust Operational 2015 $15,000

Otago Multiple Sclerosis Society Operational 2015 $2,000

Otago Outdoor Education Trust Building Maintenance & Sewerage

Connection $50,000

Presbyterian Support Otago Resthome Activities $3,000

Shotover Primary School School/Community Hall $175,000

Sport Otago 2015 Swim Safe Programme $50,602

St John Wakatipu New Building $30,000

The Parenting Place 2015 Programme Expenses $1,500

Upper Clutha Historical Records Society Shelving $1,965

GUARANTEE AGAINST LOSS (GAL)

Challenge Wanaka Sports Trust Event Expenses $15,000

TOTAL $1,458,487

ENDS

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