*25/08/06*

New Otahuhu Recreation Centre a huge success

In the first four months of operation the new Otahuhu recreation centre has attracted nearly 21,000 visits, if this activity increases it will equate to over 62,000 visits per year. This is a 250% increase in participation as the old centre attracted approximately 24,000 visits per annum.

Tamaki Community Board Chair Kate Sutton says " We are thrilled with these numbers. 46% of the new recreation centre users first four months were under 18 and encouragingly 10% of users were over 65 years old, this far exceeds the levels of usage from this age group in comparison to other centres"

Councillor Leila Boyle says "The Council subsidise the new Otahuhu recreation centre facility by $345,000 per annum to ensure affordable prices. In addition, targeted rate funding of approximately $100,000 per annum goes to the centre to support a wider range of programmes."

She continues "In setting the subsidy level for the new centre the council was very conscious of the demographics of the local community and the Otahuhu centre has the largest subsidy and lowest user charges of all council recreation centres. This investment seems to have really paid off considering the high level of usage so far."

*ENDS*

© Scoop Media