Kurow's gymnasium is to get new heating as winter sets in, thanks to a $25,000 grant from the Meridian Energy Ltd Waitaki Community Fund.
In the first round of grants from the fund for this year, Meridian is paying out $117,645 to nine community organisations.
The Upper Waitaki Community Trust received one of the larger contributions to help upgrade the heating system in the Kurow community hall and gymnasium.
Trust chairwoman Ethel Gray said the present heating system in the gym and hall relied on an old coal-burner, which was neither cost-efficient nor sustainable.
The facility was previously owned and maintained by the Waitaki Valley School but the school was now being rebuilt on a smaller scale due to a declining roll.
The trust was approached to take over the management of the hall and gym to ensure it remained operational.
"We will be offering it to the school to use five days a week so they will still have a facility at their disposal," she said.
Waitaki community fund panel member Vicky Munro said the initiative was a natural fit for the community fund.
"The community has indicated that it is keen for the fund to support initiatives that foster the development of opportunities for sporting, social and recreational activities.
"The refurbishment of the gym will achieve this by offering an enhanced recreational facility that will be available to the whole community," she said.
A number of groups made use of the community hall and gym, including the school, squash players, netball teams and musical groups, Mrs Munro said.
The Meridian Waitaki Community Fund was set up to distribute $1 million over three years, managed by a panel of community members and Meridian staff.
Grants made were. - CCS Disability Action Waitaki ($170) for disability awareness education in the Waitaki Valley; North Otago Budget Advisory Service ($825) to assist the Upper Waitaki-Twizel advisory service; Upper Waitaki Community Trust Inc ($25,000) to upgrade gymnasium heating; Mackenzie Golf Club Inc ($20,000) to purchase a tractor; Otematata Community Gym ($28,000) for refurbishment of the Otematata Gymnasium; Omarama and Districts Co-Response Trust ($27,000) to purchase a defibrillator; Lake Tekapo Ice Skating Club ($1650) for coaching; Twizel Area School ($5000) to upgrade the entrance to the community and school library; Ohau Conservation Trust ($10,000) for Lake Ohau shoreline weed eradication.
