Pledges of almost $80,000 have launched community fundraising for the Queenstown Memorial Hall upgrade before tomorrow night's Reach Out for Memorial Hall concert.
Memorial Hall Trust chairwoman Cath Gilmour said the support so far had been "fantastic", with almost every "local professional" involved giving either discounted or pro bono support.
MacTodd, Noel Tapp Designs, Lewis and Bradford, Lakes Environmental, An Eye For Design, Cooke Consulting, Aurum Survey, Don Hatfield, John Edmonds and Associates, Maltbys and Peak Projects International Ltd and Auckland's Marshall Day Acoustics had contributed $47,823 worth of work already.
Ms Gilmour said three pledges of $10,000 donations had also been received from the Queenstown RSA; Sir Eion and Jan, Lady Edgar; and in memory of Jeannie and the late Ian Gilmour.
Australian apartment owners Scott and Rebecca L'Oste- Brown, who were in Queenstown during the November launch of the project, contributed $1000 because they saw it as a good way to contribute to Queenstown's sense of community, Ms Gilmour said.
It was a "great start" towards the targeted $400,000 for the community fundraising campaign, officially launching tomorrow night.
Ms Gilmour said the corporate tables sold out about two weeks ago, but some mezzanine seats would be available on the door.
"It's going to be a fantastic night of music, comedy and dancing, which is the appropriate way to support this great cause.
"We are very keen to sell every single seat and make the old hall rock, so encourage people to come along."
The Central Lakes Trust announced a $1 million grant to the project last year, with the Queenstown Memorial Hall Trust also putting in applications with the Community Trust of Southland and New Zealand Lottery Community Facilities Fund for grants towards the $3 million upgrade budget.
Ms Gilmour said while a purpose-built venue for Queenstown was a long-term goal for the community and the council, "the shape the economy is in, no-one has the resources to pay for it, or the desire to debt-fund it".
"This upgrade will overcome the hall's critical shortfalls so that we can enjoy and use it to the max until that long-term goal becomes a reality."
• Donations can be made to Queenstown Memorial Hall Trust's bank account (SBS Queenstown 03-1355-0701863-00), as shown on the QLDC website link and QMHT Facebook page, or by cheque or credit card at QLDC's Gorge Rd office. Donation details, including the donor's contact details and amount given, should be confirmed to the trust treasurer at memorialhalltrust@qldc.govt.nz to ensure tax invoices are sent out and the donor's correct spelling is included on the "donor's wall".
