‘Nice to see it being returned to the community’

Lion Foundation grant to aquatic centre of $229,000

The Lion Foundation today approved a grant of $229,000 for the Caroline Bay Aquatic Centre, providing yet another major funding boost for the centre from a national organisation.

It was the full amount applied for by the Timaru District Council and will be put towards the AquaPlay Interactive Playground, an important leisure play area catering for children up to eight years old in the aquatic centre.

News of the grant has delighted Timaru mayor Janie Annear, who with Aquatic Supporters Club chairperson Damon Odey just last month made a presentation to the Foundation in support of the application.

The grant reflected the Lion Foundation’s recognition of the value to the community of the aquatic centre as well as an acknowledgement of the community’s own efforts and commitment to the project, Mrs Annear said.

The Timaru community has already pledged more than $1.3 million.

Mrs Annear said she was proud of the community’s efforts.

“It is so pleasing to see their commitment rewarded with such huge support from national funding organisations.”
The Lion Foundation’s grant joins earlier funding from the Lottery Community Facilities Fund, which just over a year ago approved the amount applied for of $750,000, and a $100,000 contribution from the Government’s energy promotion arm the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).

Mrs Annear described the gestures as fantastic examples of national organisations supporting smaller communities “when those communities were prepared to take the lead and commit their own money to worthwhile projects”.

The Lion Foundation is one of New Zealand's oldest and most respected charitable trusts. In the past 25 years, it has returned more than $540 million back to the community, supporting thousands of good causes right around New Zealand.

A spokesperson for the Foundation said today the organisation was delighted to see projects as wonderful as the Caroline Bay Aquatic Centre being developed.

“And it is great that your $229,000 actually originated in South Canterbury through gaming machines. It is nice to see it being returned to your community,” she said.

“That’s how we like to do it.”

ENDS

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