Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is launching the 2025 Get Active Community Grant to help get more people, more active, more often.

The annual grant enables eligible organisations to apply for QLDC Sport and Recreation facility entry passes so their patrons can access the facilities on offer at Queenstown Events Centre, Wānaka Recreation Centre and Paetara Aspiring Central.

QLDC Community Partnerships Advisor Marie Schmidt said the grant aims to give access to facilities for people that might find it difficult otherwise.

“The 2024 grant enabled 595 entries into our facilities which is a great result. It represented a 41% redemption rate which we’re hoping to improve with this year’s programme as we’re simplifying the passes on offer.”

“This year, we’re focusing on making the process even easier for organisations to apply and for participants to use the passes, so we can help more people enjoy the benefits of an active lifestyle.”

The Get Active Community Grant will now feature two types of passes. The first pass is a free swim pass which grants access to Alpine Aqualand, Wānaka Recreation Centre and Arrowtown Memorial Pool (in the summer). The second pass is an all facilities pass which grants access to all sport & recreation facilities offerings, excluding our sport leagues and some programmes.

The 2025-2026 grant funding criteria remains the same as previous years which is as follows:

• Applicants must be a registered charity, incorporated society or not-for-profit group.
• Applicants must be based in the Queenstown Lakes District.
• Sports groups and businesses are not eligible.

Applications for this year’s grants open on Friday 1 August and close on Sunday 24 August.

More details including how to apply can be found online at: www.qldc.govt.nz/community/community-funding

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