Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom project continues to develop momentum

Momentum continues to develop for Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom in Foxton's town centre.

With building consent having been approved last month, the next steps are to secure more funding and in November seek Horowhenua District Council approval for the project to continue.

The $7.2 million project gained another $170,000 in funding last week with a grant from the Eastern and Central Community Trust. This follows grants totalling $1.25 million from New Zealand Lotteries in June.

Dependent on the project's funding targets being met, the Council has earmarked $2.15 million for Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom together with the upgrade of Main Street in Foxton. An additional $500,000 would be contributed from the Foxton Beach Freeholding Account.

Council's Strategic Projects Coordinator Cathy McCartney says Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom would be a multi-purpose community hub.
To be developed at the old Mitre 10 building next to deMolen Windmill in Foxton's Main Street, Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom would include the New Zealand national Dutch museum, the Piriharakeke gallery of local Maori arts and crafts, Foxton history and stories, a library and information centre.

It would also include world-class galleries for local, national and international exhibitions; meeting rooms, lounge spaces, demonstration and performance spaces; workshop and learning spaces; and a cafe.

Mrs McCartney says the project had been "developing serious momentum".

In late August a fundraising dinner attended by 38 influential Dutch business owners was held in Wellington.

"They were really supportive of Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom and it has lead to further conversations with potential partners who are keen to be a part of the project. The event also helped Horowhenua District gain national recognition within the Dutch community," Mrs McCartney said.

The vision for the Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom project supported Council's wider aim for the economic, environmental and social development of Foxton and Horowhenua District. The project would also support the work of others on the restoration of the Manawatu River loop and the Manawatu River estuary, Foxton town centre development, and national celebrations of Dutch culture and heritage.

ENDS

© Scoop Media