Major Funding Confirmed for Alex Moore Park Community Building

The development of detailed plans is now confirmed for Johnsonville's Alex Moore Park Building with three funders - Johnsonville Charitable Trust ($139,000), Wellington City Council ($120,000) and Hutt Mana Trust ($20,000) all agreeing to financially support the next stage in the development of the architectural plans for the location alongside the Bannister Avenue carpark. The complex is designed to improve support and services for the community and sport using Alex Moore Park.

Chairman of AMPB - Hadyn Smith, is thrilled that the project is now closer to reality with one of the key stages of the project finally supported.

"In the background we have key funding support for bricks and mortar aspects of the build but we needed the design and plans finalised in order to make progress. This investment gives us both belief and traction as we start the road towards the start of the build in 2017.

For the Johnsonville Charitable Trust (JCT) to give our project this level of faith at such a crucial time adds real value to our goals and the trust being built in the Northern Suburbs. JCT have now stepped up on every key occasion we have had a catch 22 with the project (they also assisted with resource consent funding) and the Board is extremely appreciative.

To then have this investment backed up by the Wellington City Council and Hutt Mana Trust funding gives us the traction we needed for what we call stage one around getting a building on the park" said Mr Smith.

Johnsonville Charitable Trust Chair - Tracy Hurst-Porter, is also pleased to support projects such as the Alex Moore Park development. "The Trustees of Johnsonville Charitable Trust are delighted to be able to support our community. To date the Trust has committed $189,000 towards the Alex Moore Park development. Johnsonville Charitable Trust has a proud history of funding essential community facilities in the local area. This financial year the Trust has committed over $350,000 to local initiatives.
Congratulations to the dedicated volunteer team working towards the completion of the community facility at Alex Moore Park."

Wellington City Council Community, Sport and Recreation committee member and Deputy Mayor - Justin Lester, has been a fierce supporter of the concept and is pleased that the resolution passed not only releases the funding in support of the detailed plans but also states Council will consider releasing additional funds once AMPB has secured 75% of the project totals.

"As North Wellington continues to grow the demand for the new Alex Moore Park comlpex will only increase. We now have some of the largest clubs in Wellington and we want to ensure our kids and adults have access to good quality recreation facilities."

The Alex Moore Park Board will be focused on finalising plans over the winter months with input from key partners, the community and WCC.

Background Facts:The 2,100 square metre facility will incorporate a hall/gymnasium, meeting rooms and function areas and is configured to cater for a large variety of sporting, recreation and community uses. A view of the draft design features and a 3D flyover can be found at www.alexmoorepark.org.nz.

Hadyn Smith
Chairman, Alex Moore Park Board