Community Centre set on Future Proofing

The Otago Community Trust has donated $25,000 to help upgrade facilities at the much loved Becks District War Memorial Hall to support the Hall’s use well into the future. The hall has been a focal point for the Becks community which has rallied around to fundraise for the project.  
Hall Committee Secretary Gill Naylor said “The donation will help bring the hall into the 21^st Century, the needs of the community have changed since it was built and we hope the upgrade will attract even more opportunities including the return of rugby games,” she said.
The hall has provided a vital central meeting point for the local community and has been well used for a range of activities including playgroups, health and fitness as well as community gatherings.  
Otago Community Trust Chief Executive Keith Ellwood said the refurbishment would help more than the local community.  “It’s not just the 150 local households in Becks that will benefit from the facility, but also the many visiting groups who need a welcoming and modernised meeting and function space,” he said. 
The donation will assist with the redevelopment of the kitchen, toilet and changing room facilities. The upgrade would also provide a refurbished toilet and shower area to accommodate sporting groups and the installation of a wheelchair accessible toilet that will be open year round.  The new modernised kitchen will extend its useability to more professional catering.
The hall was originally built in 1957 with support from the Maniototo County Council following nine years of community planning and fundraising.  This donation was part of the $144,300 the Otago Community Trust granted to 26 organisations across Otago over August this year.  This also included $4000 to the Naseby Vision Incorporated Society to assist with the costs of writing the history of Naseby.