$50,000 Grant Boosts Pool Project

Dargaville’s pool project has just received a major funding boost, thanks to a $50,000 grant from the SKYCITY Auckland Community Trust, which lends support to worthy organisations every year.

“To receive such a grant is just fantastic,” says Kauri Coast Community Pool Trust Spokesperson Vern Stevens. “Its great for us to have such generous support.”

SKYCITY Auckland Community Trust Chairman Jock Irvine says the trust is proud to support the locally driven project and is looking forward to seeing the community use the facility.

“Right now, those living in the Kaipara area have to travel to Auckland’s North Shore to the Millennium Institute to access a 50 mere pool. This new pool will meet the need of the community for a high calibre facility for recreational swimming, competitive swimming training and events, school swimming groups, learn to swim classes, coaching and sporting events such as kayaking and water polo. The hydrotherapy pool for rehabilitation and wellness programmes and a spray park for younger children means it will be a facility everyone can enjoy. As we enjoy an outdoors lifestyle here in New Zealand it’s essential for both children and adults to have to have competent water skills so we can use our water environments safely. It’s impressive to see the whole community come together on a real locally driven initiative like this. We are pleased to be able to back such a great project,” says Mr Irvine.

Funding for the pool project is ongoing, and the Pool Trust will be applying for grants from the Community Facilities and Significant Projects funds among others.

“These funds will not be allocated until later this year, and we look forward to hearing what they decide. The big bucks often come when the funding bodies can see a community is really behind a project,” says Mr Stevens.

“Large financial grants are of great assistance, but smaller scale local support is also an important part of making the pool a success,” says Mr Stevens.

“We have recently been approached by Harris Painters in Whangarei, who are providing sponsorship in the way of labour to help paint the facility. Actions like theirs are of great practical help, as well as being part of the community involvement that funding bodies like to see,” says Mr Stevens.

Donations in kind and as well as financial offerings can be made to the Pool Trust at any time. The ASB Bank in Dargaville is working with the Trust, talking to people about how they can help and taking donations for the project.

“Sponsorship is always greatly appreciated,” says Mr Stevens.

“The support the pool is getting from the community, as well as from national bodies like SKYCITY, is very heartening, and helps to motivate everyone involved in the project.”

It is all action at the pool’s Selwyn Park site, with most of the pool itself in place, and walls going up in other parts of the complex in recent weeks.

“We are making some real progress on the build, and can’t wait for the facility to be up and running, ready for the public to enjoy,” says Mr Stevens.

“The $50,000 grant from the SKYCITY Auckland Community Trust is a very encouraging and Dargaville is very lucky.”