Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Work begins on Aranui Youth and Community Facility

Friday 19 June 2015

Work begins on Aranui Youth and Community Facility

Work on Christchurch City Council's first new community centre to be built from scratch since the 2011 earthquakes, the Aranui Youth and Community Facility, begins on Monday 22 June.

Construction will take approximately a year, with the new facility set to open at 31 Hampshire Street in early-mid 2016, and was marked with a sod-turning by Mayor Lianne Dalziel, Lions Clubs International Foundation Liaison Digby Prosser and Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust Trustee Dr Rod Carr on Friday 19 June.

The new facility will incorporate activity, meeting and office space – resources that have been sorely missed in the community in the absence of the Wainoni Aranui Family Centre and the Aranui Community Hall in Breezes Road, both of which have been demolished after sustaining earthquake damage. The new facility is being built on the former site of the Wainoni Aranui Family Centre.

"The local community has watched this project come to fruition step-by-step," Mayor Dalziel says. "Locals have seen the previous facilities demolished and, while that was going on, they've been talking with us about what they wanted to see in the replacement. The concept and design have been very much community-driven, and now they get to see the vision become reality. I think the people of Aranui will be proud of the end result.

"We're extending a big thank-you to the community for their help and to our donors for their generosity, especially Lions Clubs International and the anonymous donor who contributed so much to the CEAT for the benefit of young people in the east," Mayor Dalziel says.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

"This family centre and the Eastern Recreation and Sport Centre have been the beneficiaries of this largesse and we will never be able to say thank you enough."

A total of $5.9 million has been set aside for the project, including $1 million from the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust and $450,000 from Lions Club International Foundation.

"Every community benefits from a focal point like this – somewhere to gather for all manner of events, be it sports, performances or meetings," says Mr Prosser. "Lions International recognised this need and we've thrown our support behind the project. Lions is all about making a difference, and in this case the community is getting a high-quality facility that will meet their needs for generations."

- ends -

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.