Big grant for new Whitianga community house
The Lottery Grants Board’s Community Facilities Committee has made a grant of $646,410 to the Whitianga Community Services Trust to build a new community house.
Minister of Internal Affairs and Board Chair Nathan Guy said the Whitianga community would soon have a centre to serve as a base for extensive social services and community use.
“The Lottery Community Facilities Committee funds building projects to construct and improve facilities that promote the involvement of people in their community.
“The community house will be used by Whitianga-based services, such as the Heart/Stroke/Kidney Association, the Volunteer Centre, an OSCAR after-school programme, and several out-of-town services that give support to the wider Mercury Bay community. These include Relationship Services and the Public Trust.
“This new building is badly needed, with services currently housed in a run down 110-year-old building that has become too small for the community’s demands.
“The Committee tells me that this project will increase the range of activities in the community, with the potential to lead to improved community relationships and networks.
“I am delighted, both as Minister of Internal Affairs and Chair of the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board, to support projects which help build strong communities,” said Mr Guy.