CLT’s Grant Manager Vicki Lawrence with CODC’s Parks and Recreation Manager Gordon Bailey at CODC’s site for the new playground
“This funding round has been one of the smaller ones of late but is no means an indication of community need. In fact, our grants team have been working across the sectors assisting preparation of funding applications. Particularly as we enter spring - the Heritage & Environment and Arts & Culture sectors come alive, with more happening in this space, says Chief Executive, Susan Finlay.
“The substantial grant of this round was for CODC’s Big Fruit playground in Cromwell. As we move to higher density housing, the average section size has decreased limiting the backyard space, making communal play areas all the more important,” Susan says.
The addition of wider Cromwell’s seventh playground, is part of the proposal to rejuvenate and repurpose the Big Fruit reserve. The council spent over $1 million redeveloping the reserve in 2017. Extensive consultation took place with the community, and the resultant plan ties nicely with the current skateboard ramp and half basketball court currently on site.
“The senior play ground will go between the mini golf course and half basketball court, while the junior play area will go on the opposite side of the half basketball court, says Gordon Bailey, Parks and Recreation Manager (CODC). “We see this as a destination playground with different play items on offer than other spaces around Cromwell,” he says.
Arrowtown’s heritage building’s will shine brighter with a grant towards Arrowtown Charitable Trust and QLDC’s lighting project. Stage one of the project lighting public amenities is already complete, while stage two will see a further 15 building’s facades in the CBD to be lit.
The Alexandra Musical Society will once again put on a show over the Alexandra Blossom Festival. This year, the show Nunsense is a hilarious musical comedy spoof about the misadventures of five nuns trying to manage a fundraiser. The show is to be held at the Memorial Theatre. The season runs from the 22nd – 28th September, with a matinee on Sunday the 23rd. Tickets can be purchased online at https://tickets.alexandramusicalsociety.com, and are available from Alexandra Community House during office hours or door sales one hour prior.
For the past two years the Cromwell Presbyterian Church has held a free, family-friendly Light Party as a safe alternative to Halloween. This year’s event on October 31st is expected to have up to 500 people in attendance, and with the support of Central Lakes Trust will have a bouncy castle, games and crafts for the children.