Snow Farm’s new base building is one step closer thanks to a $180,000 boost from the Otago Community Trust.
It was one of several Upper Clutha organisations to receive funding in the Trust’s September funding round.
Snow Farm chair Samuel ‘‘Q’’ Belk said the ski field’s new lodge needed to be completed by next season, as the ski field’s lease with neighbour Southern Hemisphere Proving Ground was up.
“Due to the speed with which we need to get into the new build, we will complete the facility in a couple of stages. Stage one costing an estimated $900,000 and stage two costing $800,000,” Mr Belk said.
‘‘Thanks to the $180,000 grant from Otago Community Trust, [and] an earlier $225,000 grant from Central Lakes Trust, we now have strong momentum to reach our funding target for stage one and ensure that the Snow Farm continues to operate and grow as a community and national asset,’’ he said.
Otago Community Trust chief executive Barbara Bridger said Otago Community Trust was pleased to be supporting this important project for the Snow Farm.
“The Snow Farm is a unique facility and having a base building is fundamental to their operations and the experience of the various users including school groups and cross›country skiers,” Ms Bridger said.
Other Upper Clutha organisations included One New Zealand ($10,000), Southern Lakes Arts Festival Trust ($85,000), Wanaka Arts Society ($3,000), Snow Sports NZ Inc ($10,780), Wanaka Primary ($10,000) and Bike Wanaka Inc ($20,000).
In total Otago Community Trust approved $516,432 to 30 organisations in September.
