Zeal Kapiti has secured the remaining funds needed to open its much anticipated youth development centre in Paraparaumu.
Thanks to a string of grants since it launched in 2015, including more than $367,000 from the Lotteries Community Facilities Fund last week, Zeal Kapiti's purpose built venue is estimated to be completed by early next year.
A combined total of just under $940,000 has been distributed to Zeal Kapiti over the past couple of years, from organisations including Coastlands, Pak'nSave Kapiti, Waikanae Lions and Kapiti Coast District Council.
Alone, council had contributed $400,000 to the build.
Zeal Kapiti manager David Orchard said the recent Lotteries funding, along with $60,000 from the New Zealand Community Trust, meant the funding goal had been met.
"Zeal Kapiti will be the only all-ages venue on the coast dedicated to giving young people a space to perform and show their talents."
As part of its partnership with council, Zeal Kapiti had instigated a range of youth-focused initiatives while operating as a mobile youth centre, including activating a portable music box from a shipping container, which it used at local colleges and community events.
The team has also been facilitating weekly volunteer meetings and a girls' group, along with skill development workshops and a mobile coffee cart for youth training and events.
Kapiti mayor K Gurunathan said the latest funding was great news for local youth.
"It enables council and Zeal to deliver a facility for youth that the Youth Council and other members of our community have been working hard on for a number of years.
"Zeal is already having a great impact in this community and in the lives of our young people through their services.
"We're really looking forward to seeing this centre develop."