Last year the Trust announced it would fund up to $15m in principle towards ‘early win’ sports facility projects in Tairawhiti over the next five to 10 years.
The investment will support a range of projects, including waka ama storage facilities at Anzac and Marina Parks, the Pump Track and Skate Park redevelopment, upgrades at Victoria Domain and Whakarua Park, school pool heating at Ilminster Intermediate and East Coast townships and a rangatahi zone at Tokomaru Bay.
The Trust also approved funding for the Gisborne Boardriders Club ‘Surf for Life East Coast’ project, which will see containers being installed at Tokomaru Bay, Waipiro Bay and Wharekāhika with equipment to provide surfing programmes.
The Trust worked in partnership with GDC and Sport Gisborne Tairāwhiti over several years to support the Tairāwhiti Sports Facilities Business Case, which determined the high priority needs in our community, described as ‘early wins.’
Those projects represent 10 percent of the total business case cost ($110m).
Each project is at varying stages, with the Pump Track recently completed while others are working through feasibility and design work. A hub governance entity is being formed for the Victoria Domain precinct.
An ongoing challenge has been the rising cost of building materials, and contingency for this has been factored into the Trust’s contribution. Despite the challenges, project teams have been confident to move forward with their planning knowing the funding assurance the Trust has provided. The key element has been the upfront pre-construction funding which enables groups to complete their initial planning and due diligence.
Skate Park and Pump Track
The new Skate Park and Pump Track is attracting hundreds of visitors of all ages every week, who are making the most of the world-class facilities right here in Tairāwhiti.
The collective that fundraised and project managed both facilities, Tairāwhiti Adventure
Trust (TAT), has a mission for young people to achieve their potential through action and adventure sports.
TAT chair Haimona Ngata says the Skate and Pump Track offers much more than a sporting outlet.
“These facilities are about building resilience in individuals and a community around these sports – but it is a far more holistic view on enriching people’s lives. We need to invest in social assets that will help people to live a more vibrant life.”
Trust Tairāwhiti contributed over $2.88m
towards the Skate Park and Pump Track, two 'early win' projects in the Tairāwhiti Sports Facilities Business Case.
“That support has meant we can implement the projects that we are keen to get off the ground. It’s not just about the financial support either, but also the back-end support in capturing statistics of the impact these projects have. That is vital to us as it says these were both warranted and needed,” Haimona says.
“That provides a solid rationale to funders and stakeholders, and there is community buy-in. These two projects can be used as a blueprint for others. For us, it is about empowering our communities to have a better say on the facilities in our region. It is a far bigger picture.”
