Funding for Community Facilities now Available

Clubs and organisations in Pakuranga, Clevedon, Manurewa and Mangere are reminded that applications to Manukau City Council’s Community Facilities Partnership Scheme close on 8 November 2002.

The Scheme has $1,304,550 available in the form of grants to assist with the development of multi-use community facilities in 2002/03. It has an emphasis on amalgamations between groups wanting to be located on Council Reserve land. The “seeding grant” is intended to support community groups to leverage funds from other organisations such as the Lotteries Board and ASB Trust.

Manager Community Advocacy & Funding, Tony Kake, says that the Scheme has provided funding for a wide range of projects across the city. “We’ve funded an extension to an existing facility of a kitchen & wooden deck area, kitchen construction, carpets and flooring in a new facility, an extension to an existing clubrooms to create a storage area and changing facilities, and a feasibility study to investigate the possible use of an existing facility.”

Projects must be located on Council Reserve land, applicants must be an incorporated society or trust and must be able to contribute 10% of the total project cost.

Each Community Board assesses and recommends projects for approval by Council’s Community Development Committee.

“Some Community Boards have chosen to have one funding round in this financial year, while others have chosen to have two or three funding rounds. The amount available for allocation varies from Board to Board,” says Mr Kake.

The closing dates for applications are: Manurewa Ward Round 1 - 19 July 2002; Round 2 - 8 November 2002; Round 3 - 7 March 2003

Clevedon Ward Round 1 - 9 August 2002; Round 2 - 8 November 2002

Otara Ward Round 1 - 9 August 2002 ; Round 2 - 3 February 2003

Papatoetoe Ward Round 1 - 9 August 2002; Round 2 - 3 February 2003

Pakuranga Ward Round 1 - 8 November 2002; Round 2 - 3 February 2003

Mangere Ward Round 1 - 8 November 2002; Round 2 - 6 June 2003

Howick Ward 3 February 2003

Workshops to help potential applicants will be held monthly. Anyone interested in applying for funding should contact Council on 09-262 8900, ext 8374 or ext 8367 or visit Council’s website http:// http://www.manukau.govt.nz for funding criteria and workshop dates.

Background

The scheme started in July 1999 with a total fund of $1,000,000. An additional amount of $500,000 is added at the beginning of each financial year. The fund is distributed to the seven wards and the amount is based on the number of people that live in that ward. Currently the fund has a total amount available of $1,304,550.71 as at July 2002. Total funds available are updated on a monthly basis. Groups are asked to check with the scheme co-ordinator for the updated figures.

Possible projects can be building new facilities, extensions to current facilities, carparks, play surface areas, purchasing of an existing building owned by an organisation currently located on Council Reserve land, or a feasibility study as stage one of a two stage project.

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