A $1 million boost for new Milton pool leads $1.95 million in Otago Community Trust July grants
10 Aug 2026
Otago Community Trust has distributed $1,949,591 across 53 grants in July, supporting community facilities, education and capability building throughout the region. This round included 15 capability grants totalling $78,249, alongside several large capital grants for community infrastructure.
A new pool for Milton
The largest grant in this round at $1,000,000 went to the Bruce Community Facilities Trust towards the construction of a new community swimming pool in Milton. The pool will be housed within a new complex that also includes a library and service centre - the Elsie Stewart Community Pool & Library - replacing ageing facilities that are reaching the end of their life.
Fundraising Committee Chairman Stephen Woodhead said "We are absolutely thrilled to secure this grant. It is a major contribution towards our fundraising target and validates the hard work of so many people who have dedicated countless hours to making this vision a reality.”
The new pool facility will include a six-lane, 25-metre pool for recreation, fitness and competitions, a dedicated learn-to-swim pool, a toddler and baby area, a community spa, and a multi-purpose room for community use. Ramp access will ensure the complex is fully accessible for people of all ages and abilities.
Once complete, the pool will offer year-round opportunities for water safety education, rehabilitation, recreation and wellbeing across the Bruce District.
Stargazing at Tūhura Otago Museum
Tūhura Otago Museum has received $200,000 towards helping replace ageing technology in its planetarium. After close to ten years of continuous use, the planetarium's projectors are well past their expected lifespan, and the software driving the system runs on an unsupported operating system.
Ian Griffin, Director at the Museum says “This support takes us a major step closer to renewing Tūhura’s planetarium. The upgraded system will allow us to give tens of thousands of people each year an even more inspiring journey through the universe, while supporting schools, families and communities across Otago to engage with science, mātauranga Māori and the southern skies.”
The upgrade will replace both hardware and software, delivering a more immersive and reliable experience while keeping this well-loved community space running for years to come.
New turf and courts for Māniototo Area School
Māniototo Area School has received $200,000 towards upgrading their turf and courts as part of a wider Sports Hub project. Following a full school rebuild, the school is working with the local community board and Central Otago District Council to create a sports hub for the school and community alongside their gym renovation.
The Turf and Courts project involves removing the existing 30year old derelict court surface and installing new sports turf and asphalt courts.
Other grants this round include:
$30,000 to Central Youth Development Trust for youth programmes that deliver wellbeing initiatives for rangatahi across Alexandra, Roxburgh and Ranfurly districts; and $14,500 to Play It Strange Trust to support young songwriters through four national songwriting competitions.
Pisa Alpine Charitable Trust has received $18,000 towards installing solar panels and battery storage at the Snow Farm Base Building, reducing reliance on diesel generators for up to nine months of the year; and Dance Therapy NZ has received $5,000 towards Dance 4 Us Ōamaru, a programme of 36 weekly inclusive dance movement workshops for rangatahi and adults with disabilities.
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Otago Community Trust Grants, July 2026 |
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Alexandra |
Journeys Charitable Trust |
$7,790.00 |
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Central Otago Group Riding for the Disabled Association |
$10,000.00 |
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Central Youth Development Trust |
$30,000.00 |
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The Terrace School |
$8,803.00 |
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Balclutha |
The Clutha Budget Advisory Service |
$5,000.00 |
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The Samoan Congregational Christian Church Trust Board |
$12,000.00 |
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Balclutha Scout Group |
$13,500.00 |
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Our Hut Heritage Hub |
$3,000.00 |
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Cromwell |
Cromwell and Districts Promotion Group Inc |
$25,000.00 |
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Dunedin |
Kāti Huirapa Rūnanga ki Puketeraki |
$5,000.00 |
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Presbyterian Support Otago |
$5,000.00 |
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Waikouaiti District Museum Soc Inc |
$5,000.00 |
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Kaikorai Rugby Football Club Inc |
$4,462.00 |
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Otago Youth Wellness Trust |
$10,000.00 |
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Sawyers Bay School |
$70,000.00 |
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Tūhura Otago Museum |
$200,000.00 |
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Pregnancy Help Charitable Trust Dunedin Branch |
$9,000.00 |
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Mornington Playcentre |
$15,000.00 |
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The Breast Room |
$3,000.00 |
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Tainui Croquet Club Inc |
$30,000.00 |
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Portobello School |
$3,700.00 |
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Citizens Advice Bureau Dunedin Incorporated |
$10,000.00 |
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Kaikorai Kindergarten |
$2,000.00 |
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Dance Therapy NZ |
$5,000.00 |
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The Nest Collective NZ Charitable Trust |
$3,000.00 |
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Rachel Reynolds Kindergarten |
$2,779.00 |
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The Moana Tennis Club Inc |
$2,000.00 |
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Otago Society for Music Education, |
$1,900.00 |
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Broad Bay School |
$1,600.00 |
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Milton |
Bruce Community Facilities Trust |
$1,000,000.00 |
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Lawrence Chinese Camp Charitable Trust |
$50,000.00 |
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St Marys School Milton |
$5,000.00 |
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Mosgiel |
Taieri Network |
$937.00 |
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Mosgiel Piping and Dancing Society |
$2,600.00 |
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Ōamaru |
North Otago Group Riding for the Disabled Association Inc |
$6,237.00 |
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Waitaki Community Gardens Trust |
$50,000.00 |
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Five Forks Playgroup Incorporated |
$2,000.00 |
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Otago |
Volunteer South/Kaitūao o te Taitonga |
$5,000.00 |
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Shaping our Future Charitable Trust |
$1,500.00 |
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Alzheimers Disease and Related Disorders Society (ADARDS) |
$5,000.00 |
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Coastal Otago Response Team Incorporated |
$15,000.00 |
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Otago Goldfields Heritage Trust |
$20,000.00 |
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Ōtemātātā Residents Assoc Inc |
$6,400.00 |
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Ice Speed Skating New Zealand |
$2,560.00 |
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BandQuest Charitable Trust |
$5,000.00 |
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Play It Strange Trust |
$14,500.00 |
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Ranfurly |
Māniototo Area School |
$200,000.00 |
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Wānaka |
Lake Wānaka Arts and Culture Charitable Trust |
$5,000.00 |
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Wānaka Cycling Without Age Inc |
$2,323.00 |
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Upper Clutha Senior Citizens Inc |
$4,000.00 |
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Pisa Alpine Charitable Trust |
$18,000.00 |
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Mint Charitable Trust |
$17,000.00 |
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Path Wānaka | Ara ki Wānaka Incorporated |
$8,000.00 |
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