Two major restoration projects in the Queenstown area are among beneficiaries of the latest round of Central Lakes Trust funding grants.
Grants for October to December 2007, totalled $1,907,167. The Paradise Trust, near Glenorchy, and the Arrowtown Trust are both completing significant restoration projects.
The trust has approved a $400,000 grant for the Paradise Trust for its historic homestead, built in 1883, and accommodation facilities which are in ‘‘urgent need'' of repair and refurbishment.
Paradise Trust chairman Bill Dolan said the money would go towards the restoration work and the completion of the project would enable improved public access to the heritage property.
Central Lakes Trust chief executive Paul Allison said the property was being registered with the Historic Places Trust.
The restoration project would see the homestead return to near its original form using conservation principles.
Mr Allison said the NZ Historic Places Trust also recognised its cultural heritage significance to the country and was supportive of ‘‘this very significant and worthwhile restoration project''.
The other major restoration project was the Arrowtown Trust, for three miners' cottages in Buckingham St.
The $220,000 grant recognised the importance of the cottages - ‘‘three of the most photographed collection of heritage buildings in New Zealand'', Mr Allison said.
During the last quarter of 2007, the Central Lakes Trust confirmed 46 grants to community organisations throughout the Central Lakes District.
Central Lakes Trust chairman Duncan Butcher said the grants were a testament to the trust's commitment to provide a ‘‘helping hand'' to the region.
Other major grants approved in this funding round included $100,000 grants each to the Bannockburn Recreation Reserve for new amenity facilities, and the Wanaka Bowling Club for an astro grass all-weather surface and a $130,000 grant to the Upper Clutha Tracks Trust for the construction of walk/cycleways linking Lake Hawea to Luggate.
Grants approved in October November and December, 2007 were: Age Concern Southland ($10,000); Alexandra Citizens Advice Bureau ($6500); Alexandra Girl Guide ($900); Alexandra Senior Citizens Centre ($11,000) Arrowtown Autumn Festival ($8300); Arrowtown Scout Group ($2600); Arrowtown Trust ($220,000) Arts Foundation of New Zealand ($3000); Bannock burn Recreation Reserve Management Committee ($100,000); Bone Marrow Cancer Trust ($5000); C.O REAP 2008 Courses ($47,500); Catholic Social Services Central Otago ($24,000); CCS Southland ($3100); Central Lakes Equestrian Club ($25,000) Central Otago Compassionate Friends ($7500); Cen tral Otago Principals Association ($135,082); CLT Special Grants ($945); CODC Roxburgh Entertain ment Centre ($9500); Disabilities Resource Centre Southland ($50,000); Epilepsy Association Southland ($2000); Good Value Productions ($10,000); Lake Wanaka Cycling ($20,000); Last of the Summer Wine ($1000); Life Synergy Community Trust ($25,000) Marama Strings Charitable Trust ($2000); Molyneux Park Charitable Trust ($20,000); Mt Aspiring College ($7500); Paradise Trust ($400,000); Parents Inc ($1500); Presbyterian Support Otago ($7000); Presby terian Support Southland ($40,000); Queenstown Citizens Advice Bureau ($10,000); Queenstown Play centre ($10,000); Roxburgh Bedwetting Charitable Trust ($3500); Schizophrenia Fellowship Centra Otago ($17,000); St Johns Presbyterian Church Arrow town ($250,000); Teviot Valley 2007 Society ($5500) Teviot Valley Education Trust ($3000); Teviot Valley Rest Home INC ($25,000); Upper Clutha Tracks Trus ($130,000); Upper Clutha Womens Support Group ($20,000); Wakatipu Anglican Church ($6240); Wan aka Arts Society ($5000); Wanaka Baptist Fellowship ($3500); Wanaka Bowling Club ($100,000); Wanaka Golf Club ($12,500).
