Long drives to practices could soon be over for Omarama netball parents.
Multipurpose sports courts, which could become a focal point for the Omarama community, got a vote of confidence - and a financial boost - from the Waitaki District Council at its meeting yesterday.
The council decided to contribute $40,000 towards at least netball and tennis courts, and a toilet, at the Omarama Hall Reserve.
Omarama Residents' Association member Jemma Gloag, who has led the community effort to establish the complex near the Omarama Memorial Hall, said the community wanted to create ''a family-friendly space''.
''My vision is to have maybe a Friday night competition, where you could have a barbecue and family could come down. Where we want to put the courts is right next to the playground,'' Mrs Gloag said.
The complex could ultimately include space for basketball, soccer or hockey.
Council recreation manager Erik van der Spek's report said the funding would be consistent with previous decisions and would support community facilities that were open to the public at all times.
Omarama children travel to Kurow - a 40-minute one-way trip - for netball practice, and games are further away, in Oamaru, Mrs Gloag said.
During the summer, when the town's one tennis court - on school grounds - was available during the day, it was often busy and there were long waits, due to its location next to a holiday park.
The association, which had raised $40,000 for the project and had also sought external funding, had received quotes for the project, but those varied widely.
''I've got some more fundraising events in the pipeline if we need to top it up,'' Mrs Gloag said.
