Over one million dollars was granted by Central Lakes Trust (CLT) at its June board meeting, supporting 26 initiatives throughout the Central Lakes district, $668K going direct into the Upper Clutha region.

Key infrastructure projects supported include $400,000 towards the QLDC sport and recreation project to convert Wanaka’s old Mitre 10 into a Youth and Community Centre, as well as $120,000 towards the Mt Aspiring College redevelopment. These projects both create much needed community spaces which will accommodate many community groups into the future says CLT chief executive, Susan Finlay.

“The Upper Clutha, like the other subregions of Central Lakes has experienced significant population growth over the past few years. These two projects go some way to giving the community the spaces it needs to accommodate the expanded population,” she says.

QLDC’s Sport & Recreation Manager, Simon Battrick says to keep up with this growth we need spaces for community facilities that cater to this population. The conversion of the old Mitre 10 was an opportunity to move quickly and meet a real community need now and for the next 10 years. We already have two key tenants Kahu Youth and Aspiring Gymsports who have been needing space for a number of years.

“Having engaged with the community to gauge interest for use of the facility, we have 27 other community groups showing interest, indicative of the demand we have and this facility will organically grow into the future”, Mr Battrick says.

Mt Aspiring College will now also have two new youth workers to support students by delivering a nationally run '24-7 youth workers' programme. The programme, to be administered by Upper Clutha Presbyterian Church, is currently successfully delivered through 75 other New Zealand high schools.

Mat Begg, CLT Grants Manager says, “It’s similar to other programmes being delivered in Alexandra (CO Reap’s counsellor in schools), supported with funding from CLT in May, and Cromwell (through Cromwell Youth Trust and funded by Highlands Motor Sport Park).”

The Ministry of Education (MOE) recognised the impact of the challenges children face and launched a Counsellors in Schools programme delivering counselling support to 141 primary, intermediate, area and small secondary schools throughout Aotearoa. The initiative invests $44 million, over four years, as part of a $200 million package to improve wellbeing for learners in the wake of COVID-19. It does not currently include any schools in the Upper Clutha or Central Otago area.

“Central Lakes Trust is keen to support initiatives like this, as we recognise that our Central Lakes taitamariki’s wellbeing is not exempt from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the second such initiative we have supported in as many months,” he says.

Amongst other Wanaka based grants is a new group to CLT, M!NT who received pilot funding towards running their programmes for those with intellectual disabilities to become active and engaged in the community while living a life of their choice.

Coastguard Clyde received almost $100,000 towards the purchase of a new rescue vessel. This group have been busier than ever on our waterways, with population growth, kiwis holidaying at home and the opening of the Lake Dunstan Trail, which carves its way from Cromwell to Clyde along the true right side of the lake and has experienced beyond predicted numbers. Clyde Coastguard is a key responder to any incidents on the trail.

In total over $1.09 million was approved at the meeting taking the total grants approved for the financial year to date to $5.82 million, from a total grants budget of $12 million.

GRANTS APPROVED – JUNE 2022

Values shown for multiyear grants are for the 2022/2023 year only.

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