PLAYGROUND PARADISE IN ALEXANDRA
New playground equipment builds healthy community
A $60,000 grant from the New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) has enabled the Central Otago District Council (CODC) to purchase and install an impressive climbing net and safety matting for the children of Alexandra. Constructed at Molyneux Park, the playground equipment is proving popular with local children as well as families visiting the area.
“Molyneux Park is an ideal location for this fantastic new equipment,” says CODC’s Parks Officer Geoffery King. “The park is very accessible to local children and is home to many local sporting events and competitions. We appreciate NZCT’s help funding this project.”
Funds raised at NZCT’s four Otago gaming venues helped pay for the new equipment. NZCT chief executive Mike Knell says the trust has a principle of returning money to the community in which it was raised.
“Our funding model, of local publicans raising funds for their community through responsible gaming, is pretty unique and it works well,” says Mr Knell. “Without it, thousands of sports and community organisations would struggle to survive or provide the equipment and coaching needed to keep their sport going.
“No one would deny that sport and physical activity is important for building healthy communities, and that’s why most of our funding goes towards amateur sport,” he says. “In fact, NZCT is one of the largest funders of amateur sport in New Zealand.
“We are also interested in providing grants which offer long term, sustainable benefits to local communities. The new playground equipment at Molyneux Park is a case in point. It will help young people develop physical strength and agility – and it will be a great community asset for many years to come.”
