Multimillion-dollar centre $3m closer

A multimillion-dollar community centre in Kaitaia is $3million closer to becoming a reality, thanks to an ASB Community Trust grant.
The centre, which will cost up to $12million if the preferred option is adopted, will be the biggest multipurpose facility north of Auckland.
Te Ahu Charitable Trust chairman Ian Bamber said the centre would house a museum, arts centre and gallery, library, visitor information centre, conference centre and district council service centre.
There was also scope for the Department of Conservation and NorthTec to be included.
Mr Bamber said the $3million grant meant the trust was on track to secure full funding for the project by the end of this year. It was hoped construction would start early next year.
The trust initially applied for $2.15million.
Mr Bamber said he was still awaiting final details of the conditions for the funding but was confident any requirements could be met.
"Apart from the magnificent financial boost this represents, it is also a clear indication of the confidence the ASB Community Trust has in the merits of the project, their confidence in the trust and their willingness to invest in the Kaitaia community generally," he said.
The grant meant work could now start on a final design.
"One of the most important aspects of the design is to make sure we meet national standards related to libraries and museums and that all reasonable requirements of the various activities proposed for the building can be satisfied," he said.
The ASB Community Trust has donated more than $500million to projects in Auckland and Northland since it was founded in 1988.
Trust chief executive Jennifer Gill said the grant was the second biggest made by the trust in the last financial year.
"We were persuaded that it was a really significant project for the North and that it was worth supporting," she said.