Christmas tree wish needs an extra $9k to come true
The Riverton Community Board is looking to spend $9000 towards the purchase of a 5.4 metre Christmas tree for the community.
The board will make a decision at its meeting on Monday on whether it will buy the tree. It would need to be ordered by August for it to arrive in time for Christmas.
Riverton Community Outdoor Tree project manager Tanya Colyer wrote to the board in April asking whether it would consider giving a grant to the project.
A report by Southland District Council community partnership leader Simon Moran says about $8000 had been raised by the group, with the possibility of a further $1000 to come for the tree.
The total cost would be $17,000 and the tree would be used during Christmas time and for midwinter celebrations.
It was unlikely that Colyer would raise all of the funds in time to order the tree for Christmas this year, the report says.
While the idea of applying to the Community Trust of Southland for a grant had been investigated, the project group was unable to apply because it was not a legal entity.
The board could apply, but then there would be issues around ownership and the fact that the board would have to outline why it needed money to pay for the tree when the board could afford to fund the purchase.
The report to the board recommends that it funds the purchase of the tree, as it would be a community asset.