The New Zealand Community Trust’s November round of grants have helped push along two community building projects in Hauraki.
The Paeroa and District Historical Society received $10,000 towards re-roofing its building, while the Turua Hall Domain and Community Society was granted $10,000 for plumbing and drainage costs for its new library building.
Turua’s Cynthia Bates said work on the library portacom was proceeding nicely, with the first lot of foundations laid and the building lifted into its permanent position on November 7. Further concrete foundations, for the wheelchair accessible ramp and decking, were poured on December 16.
“It’s exciting it’s finally on its foundations,” Cynthia said.
“Now the [committee] is just starting to look at the stuff that they need for the inside as well… the sewage connection as well as the indoor handicapped bathroom suite, which will be the only [public] one in Turua.
“That was one of our big selling points: we were going to be giving the entire community, including those that are less mobile, access to the portacom and a bathroom.”
The library project has received just over $110,000 in grants so far, from the New Zealand Community Trust, Lottery Community Facilities, Grassroots Trust, Akarana Trust, Thrifters, and Barnardos.
Cynthia said the committee was aiming for a March opening for the library.
