08 December 2008
Media release

Arrow River foot bridge opens with help from SKYCITY

A new foot bridge over the Arrow River improving access to the Macetown and Motatapu walking tracks which connect Arrowtown to Wanaka’s Glendu Bay has opened thanks to ongoing support from the SKYCITY Queenstown Casino Community Trust.

The Arrowtown Village Association (AVA) received a $9,000 grant from the SKYCITY Queenstown Casino Community Trust in September this year to complete the project which started almost six years ago.

AVA Chairman Richard Newman said the grant was one of several gifted by the trust in support of the project.

“What started out as a relatively simple project, which we thought would take two years and $20,000, turned into six years and $60,000. So we are ever so grateful for SKYCITY’s generous support, we couldn’t have done it without them,” he said.

Mr Newman said there would be an official opening of the bridge early next year.

Michelle Baillie, SKYCITY Queenstown Casino Manager, said it was a fantastic project to support as it made some of the region’s best walking tracks more accessible to locals and visitors.

“We hope it will encourage people to explore beyond the river boundary to experience the beauty and history of the area for themselves,” she said.

Now in its sixth year, the SKYCITY Queenstown Casino Community Trust is dedicated to projects or organisations that make a positive difference to the local community.

The AVA has received $35,000 for a variety of projects to benefit the Arrowtown community over the last six years, of which $16,500 has been for the Arrow River foot bridge project.

This year 31 community groups received funding from the SKYCITY Queenstown Casino Community Trust totaling a record $107,215.

Funding by SKYCITY Queenstown Casino Community Trust will continue each year with applications sought every June. For more information visit the community website section on www.skycityqueenstown.co.nz.

ENDS

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