Otago Community Trust announces March 2013 donations

• 10-Apr-13

The Lawrence area has just taken a major step towards updating its community pool, thanks to a $200,000 donation from the Otago Community Trust.

The community has been fundraising to replace its existing old, leaky and inadequate pool with one located next to the Lawrence area school and pre-schools, to make the most of the school’s boiler system. 

Pool committee fundraising co-ordinator Debra Murray said they are thrilled to receive the Trust’s support, which has made a big difference to getting the $2.4 million project underway.

“It’s really important our children, many of whom are from farms, learn to swim, and having a pool open for six months of the year will help enormously,” Mrs Murray said.

“It’s a big project for our town but one that’s overwhelmed with support from the people of Lawrence as well as businesses and organisations – everyone’s behind it.  It’s very rewarding to be part of such a supportive community.”

It’s hoped the final $100,000 can be raised so construction on the pool can start in September this year.

A total of $274,500 was donated by the Otago Community Trust, to 17 Otago organisations over March.

Trust CEO Keith Ellwood said the Trust was also pleased to be supporting the Blueskin Community this month.  The Blueskin Youth Centre with $10,000 grant towards construction of a trail in the community for walking and cycling, while the Blueskin Resilient Communities Trust received $10,000 towards the costs of obtaining resource consent for its wind farm project.

Other major donations this month included $5,000 towards the costs of running the annual Dunedin Heritage Festival, $8,500 to St John for buying a defibrillator, and $2500 to the Dunedin Returned Services Choir to assist with the cost of their Anzac Day concert.

For further information please contact:

Chairperson – Stuart Walker – (03) 477-3973 

Chief Executive – Keith Ellwood – ph (03) 479-0994