Media release:

All Weather Track gets $50,000 donation from Pelorus Trust

1 September 2009

“This project is really starting to grow legs,” laughs Jonathan Hooker, Chair of the Wairarapa Regional All Weather Track Trust. “We’ll have it up and running in no time! We’ve just received a cheque from the Pelorus Trust for $50,000. This is fantastic news, and reflects the two years of hard work and perseverance of the Trustees in making sure that all the important groundwork was done, before we started approaching Trusts and the public for sponsorship”

“The Pelorus Trust has supported many Wairarapa projects since with was established 10 years ago,” says Trust Manager Alister Skene. “We derive our funds from gaming machines in hotels and taverns, and have a policy of returning funds to community groups or organisations from the areas located around these venues. The All Weather Track Trust put forward a well researched proposal that was within our criteria for support, and we’re delighted to be making this substantial commitment to the wellbeing and enjoyment of Wairarapa people.”

“We’re well on track now, and racing for the finish line,’ says Jonathan. “The sooner we build the track, the sooner we can start hosting events that will return economic benefits to the community. The All Weather Track Trust has chosen to support an 8-lane track so we can host major events, though most of the time the track will be used by sports clubs, schools, casual users and track and field athletes of all ages and abilities. It will also be the only purpose built surface in the Wairarapa for athletes with disabilities.”

The All Weather Track Trust has set a goal of raising $50,000 or more in the Wairarapa community by Christmas, to enable construction of the track over the summer months.

“We’ve established a website www.allweathertrack.org.nz to provide information, keep the community informed and enable people to donate online, as well as starting a range of fundraising activities,” says Jonathan. “We have also applied to 8 Trusts and Foundations that have an interest in the Wairarapa for grants towards the construction costs of around $968,000.”

Masterton District Council funded a feasibility study in February this year, and has committed $300,000 towards the project.

If all goes well, construction of the all weather track at the Colin Pugh Sportsbowl will start in January, with all the base construction work done by local firm Oldfields.

“Interestingly, it was Oldfields who did the base-course work on the existing grass track 35 years ago,” says Jonathan. “It was constructed to international standards then, which makes the conversion to an all weather track now much easier. It will be fantastic for our young athletes not to have to travel or move out of the region, to train on the surface they compete on. The Wairarapa owes the Pelorus Trust a huge thanks for helping make this dream come one step closer.”

Ends

© Scoop Media