Community Trust grants plug clubs’ income gap
Taranaki sports clubs, community groups and schools have benefited from almost $180,000 in the latest round of New Zealand Community Trust grants.
Grants allocated to the region in August totalled $179,675.50, NZCT spokeswoman Tanya Piejus said. Westown Golf Club president Kim Lucas said the grants were a lifeline for many organisations in Taranaki.
‘‘We wouldn’t survive if the trust grants didn’t exist,’’ she said.
The golf club had been granted $20,000 to help pay towards a new fairways mower.
‘‘Mowers don’t come cheap and the club’s only income is from
members subscriptions,’’ she said.
Mowers have a short lifespan and manufacturers recommend they are replaced every five to six years, she said. ‘‘We have four
mowers for different areas of the course and we try to get the most out of them before they are replaced.’’
The club has between 350-400 members and is to undertake a new membership drive this year.
‘‘We want to encourage beginner adults and children to come along and play a game, and enjoy themselves.’’
Westown Golf Club has one of the biggest junior memberships in the region, she said.
Among the grants were $5000 to East End Surf Life Saving Club to help towards a new inflatable rescue boat and motor, $13,571 to New Plymouth Girls’ High School to help participate at NZSS regional and national championships in the North Island, and $16,900 to Pukekura Park Tennis Club to help towards re-building of a volley wall. The grants were collected from contributions from bars and gaming venues in the region.