Koutu park gets $50,000 bonus

A grant of more than $50,000 from Southern Trust to Rotorua District Council will see new light shed on the city's Karenga Park Youth Space in Koutu.

The $50,460 grant will enable the council to install new safety lighting, a family/whanau barbecue area, and new pathways within the popular youth space facility.

The council's earlier investment of over $200,000 to develop the youth space on Karenga Park has already provided the Koutu community with a new skatepark and basketball/netball court, and improved playing fields, and has helped with longstanding land drainage issues.

The latest features follow requests from the community and local youth which until now the council has been unable to accommodate due to budget limitations.

Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick said funding from Southern Trust was very welcome news as it will enable the council to add more facilities and boost community safety.

"This is a wonderful example of a progressive partnership, with the council, the community and a very supportive charitable organisation all coming together to achieve positive results for the young people and families of Rotorua.

"These new features will help provide a safe environment for families to enjoy, and enhance the activities on offer at the youth space - day and night."

RDC Parks & Recreation manager Garry Page said works were expected to begin next month with the new features scheduled for completion by June 2014.

Rotorua District Council's award-winning Youth Spaces project was originally a council response to submissions made to the council's draft Long-term Plan by young people from Koutu, Fordlands and Western Heights who identified out a lack of activities for youth in these communities.