Planned investment in community facilities, such as community centres, sport and recreation centres and swimming pools, in the next five years will go a long way towards meeting the needs of Aucklanders over the next 20 years, according to Councillor Kay McKelvie, chairperson of Auckland City's Finance and Property Committee.

In 1998 Auckland City Council recognised the need to provide accessible and affordable community facilities that would give people a place to gather and to participate in a wide variety of recreational pursuits.

"We commenced investigations and consultation to assess needs across the city with the aim of creating facilities and services that would ensure our great variety of communities could be involved in the dynamics of their city and would have access to safe and affordable recreational opportunities," says Councillor McKelvie.

"The Council is now making good progress on a number of major initiatives, so much so that there will be reduced pressure on the demand for capital expenditure in the future," she says.

MORE

Page Two

Projects include:

„Y Mt Albert Community Centre and recreation precinct development

„Y Oranga Community Centre

„Y A new facility at Tamaki College in Glen Innes - containing two basketball courts, a weights room and a youth community room - all for both school and wider community use.

„Y A major upgrade of the Parnell Baths.

„Y Support of a tennis and netball court development on the Mt Roskill Intermediate School site.

„Y Funds committed to a recreation centre on Waiheke Island in partnership with Waiheke High School.

„Y The development of a public square, library and community centre in Onehunga.

„Y Eden Activity Centre upgrade.

„Y A replacement community centre at Wesley for the centre that burnt down.

„Y A community-based professionally-resourced performing arts centre at Western Springs College.

„Y Support of an upgrade of the Mt Eden Swimming Pool building.

„Y Investigation of the best site for a swimming pool upgrade in Avondale.

„Y Planning for a replacement recreation centre in Otahuhu and a swimming pool site.

ENDS

For further information, please contact:
Councillor Kay McKelvie, tel: 846 7076 or 025 279 6448.

© Scoop Media