A community carnival in Queenstown yesterday launched a huge fundraising campaign aiming to create a creative outdoor space.
Thousands turned up to Te Atamira, a $3 million arts and cultural centre which opened at Frankton’s Remarkables Park in May last year, to support the fundraiser, which included performances from 12 individuals or groups, such as Highland, ballet and Afro dancers, traditional Indonesian music and a showcase from the Turn Up The Music Trust, food trucks and creative activities, including cupcake decorating and paint-a-pot.
Te Atamira director Olivia Egerton said money raised yesterday would go towards the $850,000 needed to convert a paddock outside the Remarkables Park facility into a dynamic outdoor space.
"We’re already a third of the way there, thanks to generous donations from Central Lakes Trust and private donors," she said.
Subject to raising the balance, she hoped physical work could start in March.
The support to date, and turnout yesterday, were further endorsement the project needed to be completed.
"So many people came out and said it’s awesome to be able to walk and ride and come to something that’s totally about the community," Mrs Egerton said.
"It’s definitely needed.
"It would finish off Te Atamira — we’d have a fit-for-purpose space inside and outside, too."
The internal space includes a regional gallery, youth space, recording studio, performance spaces, dance studios and itinerant music and visual arts studios.
