Funding secured for Zeal centre

ALL GO: Zeal Kapiti has secured enough funding to complete its youth development centre in Paraparaumu.

Zeal Kapiti has secured the remaining funds needed to open its much anticipated youth development centre in Paraparaumu.

Thanks to a string of grants since it launched in 2015, including more than $367,000 from the Lotteries Community Facilities Fund last week, Zeal Kapiti's purpose built venue is estimated to be completed by early next year.

A combined total of just under $940,000 has been distributed to Zeal Kapiti over the past couple of years, from organisations including Coastlands, Pak'nSave Kapiti, Waikanae Lions and Kapiti Coast District Council.

Alone, council had contributed $400,000 to the build.

Zeal Kapiti manager David Orchard said the recent Lotteries funding, along with $60,000 from the New Zealand Community Trust, meant the funding goal had been met.

"Zeal Kapiti will be the only all-ages venue on the coast dedicated to giving young people a space to perform and show their talents."

As part of its partnership with council, Zeal Kapiti had instigated a range of youth-focused initiatives while operating as a mobile youth centre, including activating a portable music box from a shipping container, which it used at local colleges and community events.

The team has also been facilitating weekly volunteer meetings and a girls' group, along with skill development workshops and a mobile coffee cart for youth training and events.

Kapiti mayor K Gurunathan said the latest funding was great news for local youth.

"It enables council and Zeal to deliver a facility for youth that the Youth Council and other members of our community have been working hard on for a number of years.

"Zeal is already having a great impact in this community and in the lives of our young people through their services.

"We're really looking forward to seeing this centre develop."