Speedway 'rapt' with funding injection as it eyes future as a multi-use complex

Gisborne Speedway Club has received a Trust Tairāwhiti community grant of up to $267,000 in the final funding round of the year. The money is to be put towards a new toilet block as the club looks to develop its facilities into a multi-purpose complex. Picture by Liam Clayton

Community grants of nearly $900,000 were approved in the final funding round of the year from Trust Tairāwhiti.

The  biggest recipient was Gisborne Speedway Club, which will receive up to $267,000.

The money is going towards a new toilet block at the southern end of the raceway.

About 40,000 people pass through the gates over a speedway season, including 6500 from out of town.

With improved public toilets, the club intends to have the facility used more by other community groups, as well as the regular speedway events.

The club has covered about 50 percent of the cost of the toilet block.

Gisborne Speedway Club president Sam Hughes said they were “rapt” to receive the funding.

“We hope to turn the speedway into a multi-use complex and the toilets are a key part of that plan.

“We hope to see the track used for concerts, perhaps kapa haka, and we intend to instal a drift track in the in-field at some stage.

“Having a new toilet block will help with all that.”

Mr Hughes said they were about three months away from completing the toilet block project.

An initiative to establish a new Manutuke Hapori Hub will receive up to $246,850.

A 305-square  metre building will be relocated to the Manutuke Community Club property on Whakato Road, replacing two buildings that are no longer fit for purpose.

The intent is to create a community space to hold events and activities, and provide services to support the overall wellbeing and resilience of whānau, hapū, iwi and the wider Manutuke community, particularly in civil emergency situations.

Ngata Memorial College will receive up to $164,000 to complete upgrades and resurfacing of its netball, tennis and basketball courts.

The college caters to primary, intermediate and secondary school students from the catchment area between Tokomaru Bay and Potaka.

The court facilities are also regularly used by the wider community, including for the annual Pa Wars.

Eastwoodhill Trust will receive $72,800 to develop a new interpretative and cultural tour to share the narrative of mana whenua Te Whānau a Kai.

The tour will provide authentic engagement and share a deeper understanding of the history and cultural significance of the site, using wireless headsets.

For a full  list of recipients go to  trusttairawhiti.nz/news/december-distributions-2023/

Other grants went to:

Gizzy RC Club Manutuke — $57,000 to support site earthworks, equipment, irrigation and drainage for the national standard remote control car track facility.

Brain Injury Association Gisborne — $10,000 to continue advocating for those with brain injuries in Tairāwhiti.

Kaitipua Charitable Trust — $15,000 towards fitting out a container with exercise equipment for community fitness classes held at Patutahi.

Stroke Foundation of NZ — $10,000 towards providing ongoing, free support to stroke survivors and their whānau in Tairāwhiti, as well as providing education on stroke prevention and awareness.

Salvation Army NZ — $10,000 to support coordination and distribution of basic resources to vulnerable communities, particularly on the East Coast.

House of Science — $35,000 towards the costs of resource kits for primary and intermediate schools in Tairāwhiti.

Te Runanganui o Ngāti Porou — $10,000 towards the Ngāti Porou Pa Wars and the dawn ceremony at Hikurangi.