WITH completion of Te Kūiti’s indoor sports stadium expected within about 10 weeks, an opportunity has emerged for locals to permanently associate their names with the facility.
WITH completion of Te Kūiti’s indoor sports stadium expected within about 10 weeks, an opportunity has emerged for locals to permanently associate their names with the facility. Except for about $50,000 still needed to complete the final fitout, the $9 million project has been fully funded by central and local government sources, plus various private organisations that have given the lion’s share of the money required. But the fundraising body Game On Charitable Trust, (GOCT) said the public can still be involved. Stadium project coordinator Bruce Maunsell said it borrowed an idea from Te Kūiti’s Millennium Pavilion. “The pavilion depicts the history of Te Kūiti in drawings etched on glass panes, with names of hundreds of donors who helped to fund the structure etched below these designs,” he said. PLAQUES “So, we decided a modest donation can fund ball-shaped plaques fixed on a wall at one end of the stadium that will carry the names of donors. This ‘ball of the wall’ idea is an opportunity for local people to feel they actually have a stake in and have joined in with the process of making this thing happen.” Bruce said donations would begin at $50, and larger donations would enable a larger ball-shaped plaque. “But it’s not so much the amount that we’re wanting people to contribute; it’s just that they’re going to be contributing something, and we’re focusing on pretty modest amounts. “The larger the donation, the larger the size (of the ball). And we think that if we can get plenty of those it is going to look pretty impressive, like balls bouncing up and down on a wall at one end of the building, with people’s names or businesses names written on them.” Bruce said though all schools in the district would have access to the facility, the public would be able to use it simultaneously, thanks to a partitioned design featuring electronic doors and security measures. SECURITY MAINTAINED “Security and separation can be maintained during simultaneous use so everyone can rest assured they’ll have access. “We really do want to make the community aware of the benefits which are diverse. This stadium is not only enabling people to play sport – it’s going to have profound effects on community welfare, social interaction and economic benefits for the community as well. It will certainly help the high school to develop. “I am sure it will make the Te Kūiti and the surrounding Waitomo District a more attractive place for outsiders to come into to live. These effects will continue for many years to come. “It is important to add that the actual cost of running the place has been well budgeted. There are lots of contingencies in place to ensure any possible shortfalls in the next few years are taken care of as the facility develops. Bruce said people could learn more by visiting projectgameon.org.nz “Our website gives all the information you may need on the project and provides an online form for those who want to support a ball on the wall. “Fill it out saying you want to participate or need more information and we’ll be happy to get in touch with you to organise details.”
