Site preparations are set to begin on the brand new indoor sports facility that will be open to the whole community and based at Thames High School.

The new facility is part of the Active Thames 2018 project that is run in collaboration between The Thames-Coromandel District Council, Thames Community Board, the Ministry of Education, plus community and private sponsors.

An artist impression of the new Thames Indoor Sports Facility. Image: TCDC

Last week council approved an additional $253,000 into the contingency budget for the Thames Indoor Sports Facility, which is up from $78,000, while a final Heads of Agreement from the Education Ministry, will is part-funding the two-court indoor sports centre, is ready for signing.

There's been overwhelming community support for the $4.5 million facility, with donations exceeding the initial community fundraising target of $265,000.

At last count more than $550,000 had been pledged or sponsored for Active Thames 2018 projects, which includes the indoor sports facility, a new skatepark at Porritt Park near Goldfields Mall, and multi-sport club rooms at Rhodes Park. The goal is to complete all three builds by the end of 2019.

'The Thames Indoor Sports Facility is reliant on $390,800 of the $550,000 fundraised so far. It will cost ratepayers approximately $17 - $18 per annum,” says a TCDC spokesperson.

The indoor sports centre will be a fit for purpose facility that meets tournament requirements particularly for netball and basketball, while also catering to netball, basketball, volleyball, badminton, gymnastics, futsal, circus and Kiaido Ryu.

The facility is also designed to meet growing sporting demands, give athletes an indoor playing option, and make Thames a more liveable place for residents and more attractive to newcomers.

Thames High students will have access day time access to the facility when community demand is low. Members of the community will be able to use the facility during school-hours two days, on top of weekends and afterschool hours.

The Sports and Education Trust, which has advocated for the project, is thanking all supporters and sponsors who've contributed to the project.

'We are super excited that work on the indoor centre has begun after so many years of planning,” says spokeswoman Mary Hamilton.

'This project wouldn't have been possible without the commitment of the families and businesses who have provided the much needed sponsorship to bring it to fruition.”

While the trust raised funds, Thames High School provided the site and a contribution to funding, and $850,000 of the total was obtained through grants.

For more information visit the Thames-Coromandel District Council's Thames Sport and Recreation Project webpage.