Bring it to Colombo reaches another milestone

Bring it to Colombo reaches another milestone

The unveiling of the plans for the new look Colombo Road Netball Courts is another milestone in bringing a new sporting facility in the Wairarapa closer to realisation, says Bring it to Colombo Trust chair Luther Toloa.

Last night at the Netball Wairarapa AGM, the community was given its first look at the new $2.2 million netball facility, located on Colombo Rd. After 15 months of planning including carrying out a feasibility study, it is hoped work will begin after the 2016 netball season.

The work will include resurfacing and repositioning 12 courts – six artificial and six asphalt with three courts under cover, a new club room with disability access and a full commercial kitchen, player shelters for the uncovered courts, a large viewing deck, medical room with outside ambulance access and accessible toilet and shower facilities.

“The first 15 months of the project were spent trying to understand the needs of the netball community. From the initial feedback a picture developed for an indoor facility that will serve not only the netball community, but also the wider sporting community.

“The turning point was Masterton District Council acknowledging the facility required substantial attention and allocating $650,000 in funding,” says Mr Toloa.

Subsequently the community has raised $10k towards the project through fundraising activities such as the Bring it to Colombo event last year. Trust House has also initially granted $200,000 to get the project off the ground.

“There has also been significant investment by local businesses including Dave Borman donating his time free of charge to project manage construction, Tumu ITM Masterton successfully negotiating supplier discounts to assist, Juken Nissho providing the framing timber for free and Capital Precut solutions donating the labour to make the frames.”

“Since November last year the team including Silverwood architects and Netball Wairarapa have been working together to refine the project to reduce costs and ensure functionality. We have come a long way from the $18.5 to $21.4 million proposal in the feasibility study.”

Mr Toloa says while he is hopeful of starting this year, the reality is unless a very generous donor comes forward soon, the starting date will be dictated by ongoing fundraising and external funding sources.

“This essential community asset has served us well for the past 33 years but the time is now to invest in the future and finally realise its potential for the Wairarapa sporting community and our young people.”

The Bring it to Colombo Trust has now been established to own and drive the project to get construction under way.

“In the meantime we will continue to fundraise and provide opportunities for businesses, families and individuals to contribute to this exciting project.”

ENDS

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