The hopes of five community groups are being realised thanks to funding from Western Bay of Plenty District Council's Facilities in the Community Fund.

The Facilities in the Community Fund, available every two years, is focused on giving a boost to community managed facilities that are available to the public but aren't on public land.

Community groups who look after buildings and facilities can be overwhelmed by costs involved with upgrades and keeping their facilities up to scratch to cater to user needs and growth in the community.

And new projects can struggle to get off the ground without a little financial boost. In these situations, the Facilities in the Community Fund can make all the difference.

'We're really happy we can give these much needed community facilities a hand,” says Rachael Davie, Group Manager Community and Strategy.

'As kaitiaki (guardians), these groups work hard to create and care for facilities that benefit others. It's often a thankless task, so we're really proud to support them.

'Thank you to everyone who applied for funding. Your mahi doesn't go unnoticed or unappreciated.”

The five projects that the funding will contribute to in 2022 include:

· Repairs to the roof of the Katikati Agricultural and Pastoral (A&P) building on Major Street, Katikati. This building is one of the oldest halls in Katikati and is used for the much loved A&P Show, which plans to celebrate it's 100^th edition in 2023. The roof repairs, will match the new paint job undertaken in 2020.

· The Katikati Community Centre will also receive some much-needed maintenance and renovation. The planned mahi includes replacing the pergola and bringing the entrance up to wheelchair access standard. The funding will also assist with mobility scooter parking and a storage area for after-school equipment.

· The Whakamarama Mountain Bike trail is also one step closer to reality thanks to Council support. Funds will pay for a scoping study of the 20km planned trail in the native forest of Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park. This study is the first box to tick in preparing to construct and maintain the trail.

· Otamarakau School will receive funding towards a weatherproof cover for their astro turf courts. The astro turf is used for outdoor sports including hockey and tennis. The cover will protect the surface from weather damage and allow sports to take place in most types of weather.

· And finally, the Te Puna Quarry Park has been granted funding to install a new electric double barbecue under a new wooden shelter in the Park. The new barbeque and shelter will provide a cosy space for people to gather, share food and stay protected from the elements.

Louellen Davies, President of the Katikati Agricultural and Pastoral Society is really thrilled to hear Katikati Agricultural and Pastoral Society will be receiving support.

'I was so excited I kept punching the air for the next half an hour - this funding is just so important to us.”

Trish Reddish, Otamarakau School Principal was similarly thrilled with the good news.

'We are absolutely delighted that the Western Bay of Plenty District Council has awarded us over $10,000 towards our court cover fundraiser. This cover will make a huge difference to our tamariki and local community providing an opportunity to get outdoors whatever the weather.”

The Facilities in the Community Fund, worth $100,000, opens for applications every two years. The 2020 edition was combined with the Community Matching Fund into the Community Resilience Fund for groups affected by Covid-19.

A one-off contribution of $26,000 was made to Maketu School through Council's Long Term Plan 2021/2031 process and the remaining amount included in the recent funding round.

The successful candidates were selected by a sub-committee of Councillors John Scrimgeour, Mark Dean and James Denyer each representing one of the Western Bay's three wards. The panel consider each application according to a set of criteria to ensure fair and objective results.

The Facilities in the Community Fund is scheduled to open again in 2024.