A Carterton group has responded immediately to the call for local fundraising to help build the Carterton Events Centre, issuing a challenge to other local groups to do the same.
The Keep Carterton Beautiful group has donated $10,000 to the multi-purpose community centre to be built on Holloway Street, some of the proceeds from its highly successful Italian Day at Richmond Garden in Carterton last November.
The Keep Carterton Beautiful group chairman Alan Bateman said the day, which included sumptuous Italian food and music, a Venetian gondola, the Italian ambassador, a Ferrari, Maserati and a Lamborghini, had been a lot of fun.
“We are delighted to be able to get behind the Events Centre and would like to challenge any other Carterton group, club, business or school to do the same by fundraising, and have some fun in the process,” said Mr Bateman. “We definitely need this centre and are sure it will be a great success.”
The group is working on a range of projects to help improve the look of the town including the recent painting of the Salvation Army building and working on the information kiosk at Carterton’s northern gateway.
A donation of a different sort has further boosted the Events Centre fund. The Mayor and all but one of the Carterton District Councillors have agreed to donate a compulsory increase in their annual salary to the Events Centre Trust. In 2009, the mayor and councillors refused an increase, but the latest increase was made compulsory by the Remuneration Authority which sets remuneration for elected local government members.
“When things aren’t right financially in the world why should we be earning more when others can’t?” said Carterton Mayor, Gary McPhee. “The other councillors bought into it the idea of putting it towards the centre and are not just giving the centre lip service. We’re putting our money where our mouths are.”
The Carterton Events Trust formed to help build Carterton’s multi-purpose community centre aims to raise at least $1.5 million for the project.
Following approval from the Carterton District Council to proceed in full with the project this year, the Trust last month widened its call for support, which has so far focused on large grant applications.
“We are well on the way to achieving our target with several major grants approved and other applications to major funding organisations and supporters in the wings,” said Trust Chairman, John Greenwood. “This work is continuing and we will keep working until we reach our target.”
“We have had a great start to our Buy a Brick campaign and are inviting local businesses, schools, families and community groups to get behind what will be a fantastic asset for Carterton and the wider Wairarapa region.”
Mr Greenwood said the trust welcomed any contribution, large or small. “There have already been some wonderful fundraising efforts and unsolicited donations by Carterton individuals and groups – every bit will count.”
The council-owned centre to be built in Holloway Street will include an upgraded and extended public library and a new town hall/auditorium able to host performing arts, cultural and community activities, exhibitions, conferences and social events. A youth centre will provide a robust, dedicated space for young people and children will benefit from new Plunket rooms and the toy library. A large foyer will double as an art exhibition area and information centre. Modern meeting rooms will provide comfortable places where locals and visitors can gather.
Carterton District Council will fund $4.5 million of the estimated $6 million construction cost and construction is expected to begin later this year. |
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