Press Release
(For immediate release)
May 16, 2011

Funding boost for Stadium Southland

The Stadium Southland rebuild project has received its first significant funding boost with the Southern Trust today confirming a $50,000 grant.

Stadium Southland general manager Nigel Skelt said he was thrilled with the “kick-start” towards the $8.7 million of community funding needed.

“We are delighted the Southern Trust has started the community ball rolling in supporting the rebuild and I guess the challenge is for similar organisations to now follow their lead moving forward,” he said.

“The Southern Trust grant is very significant in that they have supported the wider Southland community and its preferred hero option, in particular the clip n climb wall in the new venue.

“The wall is aimed at our young children and will be totally interactive, colourful and extremely user friendly.”

Skelt said the Southland Indoor Leisure Centre Charitable Trust had been “extremely proactive” in requesting support through various national and local community funding agencies for the rebuild.

“If we can be as successful as we were with the community and public support that we received for the ILT Velodrome then this will ensure that we can future proof the new facility for Southland into the future,” he said.

Southern Trust chief executive Karen Shea said the organisation was pleased to be able to lend its support to what will emerge as a wonderful community asset.

“This venue provides great value to the people of Invercargill and Southland,” she said.

“Out of adversity has come the opportunity to ensure the new building will continue to meet the needs of the local community for many years to come.

“The Trust wishes Stadium Southland the very best in raising the additional funding required to create this wonderful resource. We are sure the generosity and vision of the local community will ensure the success of Game On 2012.”

ENDS