Council Thanked For Work In Securing "Generous" Grant For Youth Hall

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 67, 26 August 1965, Page 1

Council Thanked For Work In Securing "Generous" Grant For Youth Hall

A comment on the Taupo Borough CounciFs efforts to obtain a grant for the Taupo Youth Centre building fund has been made by the president of the centre committee, Mr A. Armstrong. He has warned that the planned hall may cost up to £35,000.

"The generous grant from the council gives the committee much encouragement and, along with the co-opera-tion and generosity of the Taupo businessmen, our project becomes much more of a reality," he said. "I would like to stress at this stage that the £6000 grant is from a special reserve fund, and in no way emanates from the ratepayers. "This is my second term as president of the centre and I was appointed at a time when the morale was extremely low and public apathy was most evident. There were times when I wondered whether our plans were much too ambitious for Taupo, but these doubts were expelled by the co-op-eration and interest shown by all members of the council who have, for some considerable time, been aware of the necessity of the hall we were planning. "It was the encouragement given by the council that kept the committee from throwing in the towel. "All negotiations with Golden Kiwi have been completed by the council and full approval has been given. The grant of one pound for two is available as and when required. "For this we have the town clerk, Mr K. G. Winton, to thank.

"I would like to express the thanks of my committee for the splendid help he has given us over the years. Without his assistance and willing co-operation I am sure we would have been faced with almost unsurmountable difficulties. "The main task of the committee now is to foster the enthusiasm which has obviously been generated by recent events and begin working on many varied fund-raising projects. We have a Queen carnival planned to start soon as our major contribution, and I am hopeful that all the indoor sporting bodies will rally to the cause and help in the drive for funds. "I note that the Taupo Times stated that we needed another £5000 to complete the fund. I must say at this stage that the figure of £30,000 for the building of the hall was a quotation received over two years ago. Since then there has been a 6 per cent. general wage increase, with resultant increases in all forms of building materials and I fear we may now be faced with at least a £35,000 project. But even this figure is not out of reach, providing we get the support of the people of Taupo for whom this hall is designed."