Work begins in earnest on community gymnasium for Thames
Work begins in earnest on community gymnasium for Thames
(Photo: The indoor sports
facility will sit on concrete strip foundations)
The diggers have been busy at Thames High School scooping out the foundations for the new Thames Indoor Sports Facility being built for the joint use of the community and the high school.
The gymnasium is being built right next door to the existing one at the high school, making it a two-court venue that will be suitable for hosting senior-level tournaments for netball, volleyball, basketball, gymnastics and other sports.
Across Rolleston Street, improved parking is being built for the future users of the new facility.
For many years, sports clubs and the high school have been constrained by the limited facilities available in the Thames area for indoor sports. High school teams and community sports clubs are competing for the limited space and time available and this situation has not allowed for programme growth.
The $4.8 million facility (which includes the cost of the booking and security systems) is a joint project of our Council, Thames High School and the Thames Sport and Education Community Trust.
The project has had tremendous support from the community, with donations exceeding the initial fundraising targets. Of the project budget, $850,000 is from grants, $380,000 is from pledged community fundraising and sponsorship, $440,000 from Thames High School, and the remainder from our Council.
The indoor sports facility is expected to be
completed and ready for use by mid-2017. The project is part
of the Active Thames 2018 portfolio of projects to improve
recreation and fitness facilities in Thames. For more
information on Active Thames 2018, see www.tcdc.govt.nz/thamessportsfacilities