Central Otago News

Molyneux Educare Early Childhood Centre in Cromwell is well on the way to becoming a safer and more modern facility after a donation of $40,000 from The Otago Community Trust. 
 “We can’t wait to see these improvements put in place, it will be a better centre for both the children, teachers and parents all round“ said Molyneux Educare Early Childhood Centre Chairperson Kim Herrick.
The centre has already successfully fundraised the remaining costs of the project.   Changes will include space for preparing food, improved bathroom facilities, upgraded fire and security systems and better sleeping arrangements. 
Otago Community Trust Chef Executive Keith Ellwood said “School and early childhood centres are increasingly becoming important hubs for our communities, and this is particularly important in growth areas like Cromwell which is expecting a steady increase in families over the coming years”
The centre is a community owned, family based early childhood centre providing care for children aged 0 to five years. The 63 children are currently enrolled and looked after by six full time and five part time staff.  The building dates back to 1940 and has not kept up with the demands of a modern early childhood centre. 

 Bowled over by the support

The Otago Community Trust has donated $20,000 to the Alexandra Bowling Club to upgrade their facilities to help meet increasing demand for the space from local community groups.
The club hosts a large number of sporting and community groups including the local snooker club and the Alexandra Cricket Club. These groups use the Club as their headquarters and base for meetings and gatherings.   The donation will support work that will see the lounge area doubled in size and refurbished carpets, curtains and the addition of air conditioning. The Club has been in existence since 1909 and is maintained by 90 volunteers.
Otago Community Trust Chairperson Stuart Walker said “The Trust sees this as a real investment in local facilities; the Club has more than 178 members, not to mention all of the groups that can use the facility for meetings and functions”