And first up, the Waimate District Community Complex fundraising committee was presented with a cheque for $125,000 from Waimate Health Developments Inc and another for $7500 from the Waimate Basketball Association.
Now it was time for the community to get behind the project, Waimate Mayor Craig Rowley told a group of invited stadium users, sponsors, user groups and members of the Waimate District Charitable Foundation and Waimate District Community Complex Fundraising Committee, at the campaign's recent launch.
The project will transform the town's tired 40-year-old indoor stadium, formerly the Army Drill Hall, on the corner of Paul and Wilkin Sts, It will cost ratepayers no more than $3.8 million, including $950,000 that has to be raised through the Waimate District Charitable Foundation, with Waimate businessman Gary Rooney and his Rooney Group picking up the rest of the cost.
Work is due to start later this year on the building, which will provide a positive focal point for the community and bring sport, recreation, social, fitness and community services together.
The fundraising is being co-ordinated by the Waimate District Community Complex Fundraising Committee, through the Waimate District Charitable Foundation.
The fundraising committee will be holding a series of meetings in rural areas to talk to residents about the foundation.
