Otago Community Trust, May 2015 Donations
8 Jun 2015
The Otago Community Trust has invested over $1.2 million into Otago over the last month.
Thirty Otago organisations benefited in May, with large donations including the Otago Physiotherapy Pool, the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail, the Central Otago sports turf, and the St Patrick’s Basilica in Dunedin.
Otago Community Trust Chief Executive Barbara Bridger said the donations have made a big difference to organisations that simply can’t do it all on their own.
“Our support recognises the need in the community for these projects, big and small, and the efforts volunteers in these organisations are putting into fundraising. We are well aware that donations from the Trust also act as a catalyst to bring in further support,” Ms Bridger said.
“Our investment in large projects like the physio pool and the Alps 2 Ocean trail not only benefit people today, they are an investment in the future.”
“We’re involved in projects that make a difference right across the community, whether it’s helping the Taieri Dramatic Society buy new regulation stage curtains, a donation to help host the annual Country Music Awards, or funding towards marking the Kiribati Cultural Day 2015.”
Friends of Alps 2 Ocean Incorporated spokesperson Adair Craik said the Alps to Ocean trail, which is two thirds finished, is already bringing in thousands of cyclists, walkers and runners to the region each year. “The health and economic benefits are huge; it’s predicted the returns to this part of the world will be in the millions when the track is complete.”
“The feedback from trail users is fantastic; people who haven’t been into the region before can’t believe how beautiful it is.”
The Otago Community Trust has donated $304,000 towards completing a further two sections of the 310 kilometre trail from Duntroon to Oamaru in time for the 2016 season. “The Community Trust’s support is a huge part of this on-going project – we’d simply be stuck without them.”
Otago Therapeutic Pool Trust Secretary-Treasurer Neville Martin said its trustees are very pleased that the Otago Community Trust has thrown its considerable weight behind the campaign to save the Physio Pool in Dunedin from closure.
The substantial offer of the $300,000 grant is towards the capital works planned for the Physio Pool. These works are estimated by a quantity surveyor at just under $1 million and include deferred maintenance on the building, installing a pool cover and upgrading plant to create operating efficiencies. It will mean that there should be no capital works required for at least 10 to 15 years.
The Otago Community Trust also donated $280,000 towards a new amenities building for the Central Otago Sports Turf, replacing the aging sand-based turf with new water-based turf at the same time. Spokesperson Terry Emmitt said the rapidly deteriorating 17-year-old turf is well used throughout winter by hockey teams across Central Otago, and toilets and changing facilities are long overdue.
The Otago Community Trust is helping renovate St Patricks Basilica in South Dunedin, something that will not only provide a modern and warmer useable space for parishioners and the wider community, it will also ensure the heritage two building is preserved well into the future.
The $100,000 grant will help to renovate and improve the streetscape appeal of the 120 year old building, and to install heating, lighting and new seating to make it useable seven days a week.
The Otago Community Trust is helping George Street Normal School with $50,765 towards carpeting its new Learning Centre.
Acting co-principal Anne Robertson said the new centre directly connects with 10 of the school’s classrooms, providing a modern learning environment incorporating connectivity and collaboration for its 500 pupils. “It would be extremely difficult to finish the centre off without support from the Otago Community Trust; it’s much appreciated by our school and by the wider community that uses our school facilities during the weekend.”
Otago Community Trust donations, May 2015
|
Balclutha |
South Otago Agricultural & Pastoral Soc |
$3,000 |
|
|
Oho Mauri Oho Ake Charitable Trust |
$5,000 |
|
Cromwell |
Central Otago Sports Turf Trust |
$280,000 |
|
Dunedin |
Autism New Zealand - Otago Branch |
$1,750 |
|
|
Community Colleges NZ Ltd |
$2,000 |
|
|
Keep Dunedin Beautiful Committee |
$2,000 |
|
|
Southern Youth Choir |
$2,500 |
|
|
NZ Choral Federation - Otago Region |
$2,500 |
|
|
Dunedin City Council - Puaka Matariki Celebrations |
$5,000 |
|
|
Dunedin Opera Company t/a Opera Otago |
$8,000 |
|
|
Balmacewen Tennis Club Inc |
$10,000 |
|
|
Kelsey Yaralla Kindergarten |
$11,147 |
|
|
For Trades Apprenticeship Training Trust |
$22,000 |
|
|
George Street Normal School |
$50,765 |
|
|
St Patricks of South Dunedin |
$100,000 |
|
Mosgiel |
Taieri Dramatic Society Inc |
$2,500 |
|
|
Otago Aero Club Inc |
$7,000 |
|
Oamaru |
Central Coast Country Music Assn Inc |
$600 |
|
|
Kurow Rugby Football Club - Squash Club |
$2,000 |
|
|
Tokarahi Golf Club |
$6,000 |
|
|
Lower Waitaki Golf Club Inc |
$7,000 |
|
|
The Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust |
$8,500 |
|
|
Friends of Alps 2 Ocean Incorporated |
$304,000 |
|
Otago |
Kiribati Waipounamu Inc |
$1,500 |
|
|
New Zealand Red Cross Inc |
$7,500 |
|
|
Royal New Zealand Ballet |
$15,000 |
|
|
Skeggs Foundation |
$25,000 |
|
|
Otago Therapeutic Pool Trust |
$300,000 |
|
Other |
Connected Media Charitable Trust |
$3,500 |
|
|
Chamber Music New Zealand Trust |
$6,000 |