Centre’s final cost hits $5m

The Te Aroha Events Centre Charitable Trust will continue its fundraising efforts after Matamata-Piako District Council was advised of a shortfall paying for the final construction costs of its new facility.

The estimated cost to build the Silver Fern Farms Te Aroha Events Centre about three years ago was $4.5m, with an agreement for the council to fund $2m and the trust was to raise the balance. The final cost to construct the events centre was $5,081,772.

The trust with the Te Aroha community worked hard to initially raise $2,577,977 as its contribution towards the project.

The trust also has secured additional income and sponsorhsip but still needs $234,752 to pay the balance of the centre’s construction cost.

Council was advised of the funding gap in December when it decided to continue to underwrite the centre.

Higher quality panelling at the centre contributed to the increase in final costs.

Trust spokesperson Paul Williams, along with other trust members have pledged to continue to fundraise for the events centre.

The trust may be able to access funds for the community through grants not available to the council.

To date there have been a total of 116 events booked since the Silver Fern Farms Te Aroha Events Centre opened on October 14.

Bookings have been from varied sports and other users, with especially good use from junior basketball teams (100 or more training at a time), futsal (indoor soccer, which didn’t have a venue before the centre) and netball, which can run year round (outdoor courts are nearby).

The centre has also been used by sponsors including Silver Fern Farms and the council for training, events and private functions.

The council even had an enquiry from a remote control car club, a use that wasn’t anticipated, who are considering laying carpet on the courts to run their races.

Matamata-Piako District Council chief executive Don McLeod said the council anticipated the traditional sports like basketball and netball, but were pleasantly surprised to see sports and clubs like futsal and remote control cars come out of the woodwork.

‘‘It’s the old cliche´, build it and they will come,‘‘ he said.