13 August 2013

New Meremere Hall Gets Green Light with Help From Lotteries Fund

Construction of a new community hall in Meremere has been given the green light following the announcement of a half million dollar grant from the Lottery Community Facilities Fund.

Attendees at last week’s Meremere Community Committee meeting learned Waikato District Council has secured a $582,519 grant to assist with the design and construction of a new community hall. The new facility will replace the current Meremere Community Hall built circa 1920s and revamped in the late 50s to service a growing workforce in the district.

Waikato District Council Service Delivery General Manager, Tim Harty says the financial boost is positive news for the immediate and long-term development of the Meremere community.

“We’re extremely grateful to the Lottery Community Facilities Fund for choosing to support our community. The construction of a new building isn’t just about providing a facility for events; it’s also about providing the community with a central hub where they can meet and engage with other residents in the area and create a heart for the district.”
The Meremere Community Committee is asking the local community development group to nominate representatives who will liaise with Council’s project team. Their first activity will be to work on a final project design.

Council has also committed $411,200 to the project in this year’s annual budget with construction scheduled to start at the end of this year. The completion date is set for December 2014.

ENDS

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New Court Orders, Screening, Guardianship Changes...: Government Ignoring Poverty, Again

It remains to be seen if announcements today will better protect children, but the National Government is forgoing an opportunity to really help kids by ignoring the elephant in the room, which is poverty, Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei says.

"All the experts have told the Government that very low income is associated with higher rates of child maltreatment and neglect -- something which was totally ignored in the Government's Children's Action Plan and the announcements today," Mrs Turei said. More>>