The Catlins Area School has secured backing for a project that will provide not just for the school, but the wider community too.
Last week the school was approved for a nearly $50,000 grant from the Otago Community Trust to complete the necessary funding for the its court redevelopment project.
The grant comes as a boost for the project as the school had only been able to fund re›asphalting on its own.
The last of the funding will provide new line marking, new asphalt and equipment for the court.
Principal Glenys Hanley and staff shared their excitement as they were informed via email with the news.
The court had been developed in the mid›1980s and were currently in poor condition.
‘‘We applied on March 30 and waited in anticipation for the email, when it came through last week with the approval we were all extremely excited for the project to flourish,’’ Mrs Hanley said.
‘‘The school had previously been supplied with a fund from the Government during the first Covid›19 lockdown but it had not been enough to cover the cost of the project, but with the assistance of the community, the school board and ultimately the Otago Community Trust, we’re able to establish a safe and refurbished court for both the school and the wider community,’’ she said.
The new court would remain open to the public to use and would be multifunctional, facilitating tennis, netball, and basketball.
It would be a space for students, staff, families and the wider community to practice sport and hold outdoor sporting events.
