Construction of the new Hornby Centre, Indoor Pools and Library facility, has taken a significant step toward becoming a reality with piling construction starting on site recently. Hornby Rotary together with the local Greater Hornby Residents Association, and some key CCC staff, are working to have a Hydrotherapy pool included in The Hornby Centre.

Lack of funding meant a Hydrotherapy pool was unable to be planned for inclusion in the $35.7 million Hornby Centre due to be completed early in 2023.

An application to the Lotteries Commission for $700,000 is pending as a match for $300,000 already committed following a Rotary application to the Rata Foundation.

The Hornby Director of Community and Youth, and local Community Board member for Hornby, Mark Peters, says the club was faced with the challenge of raising a community commitment of around $1 million to move the project forward.

Unfortunately, Covid delays have proved difficult to overcome and the major community fundraising initiative with businesses and the community are now set to launch early in 2022 rather than 2021 as had originally been planned.

We are planning to offer the local business community the opportunity to invest in this project for our communities in South-West Christchurch, starting with a major launch event such as a Wine and Beer Tasting with the support of some fabulous local businesses.

Then with the community we are planning to set up a Buy-a-Brick/Paver type fundraiser where anyone be it Families, Small to Medium sized businesses, whoever, can pledge their support and be memorialised for doing their part to help. Every contribution counts!

Mark together with Paul Burns, both relatively new Rotary members, were appointed project managers earlier this year.

“We have received great support and the challenge is now for all Rotary clubs to consider being involved – we need more funds to help make this project a success and show Rotary can work together to make a significant contribution to the community,” he says.

If you wish to know more about this project and offer support get in touch with Mark at Hornby Rotary care of markpetersnz@gmail.com