Children's health hub on track and on budget

Te Aka Mauri, Rotorua's new library and child health hub is on track to open in November. Photo/Ben Fraser

Rotorua's Library and Child Health Hub is on track and on budget for its official opening on November 24.

At a Rotorua Lakes Council operations and monitoring committee meeting yesterdaystrategic development manager Portia McKenzie presented a funding update for the hub, Te Aka Mauri.

So far more than 14 organisations have come together to donate $1,186,600, in cash or kind, to the project.

Mrs McKenzie presented some of the design features that had been made possible through the help of donors.

These include an interactive Fenton Agreement display, a community meeting room and an interactive area for hands-on learning.

"We are on track, on budget and on time."

The committee made regular cheers throughout her presentation.

Mayor Steve Chadwick said Te Aka Mauri was one of the most innovative buildings in New Zealand.

"It's really quite emotional to see it coming together."

She gave special thanks to Ms McKenzie and her team who had worked hard to find the funding.

Deputy mayor Dave Donaldson congratulated Ms Chadwick on setting this plan into motion.

"I sat in a meeting well before the last election where Her Worship the Mayor had got wind of the fact that the DHB were setting up a new paediatric services.

"She thumped the table and said that's got to be in our inner city and our library has got to be the place.

"She's been fearless in that right through the election and as people have said, it took a lot to convince a lot of people."

Councillor and District Revitalisation portfolio lead Karen Hunt said it was ground-breaking.

"We have not walked into the 21st century, we have made a flying leap into it.

"Thank you to Portia, she has carried the weight of this project on her shoulders."

A blessing and official opening will be held at Te Aka Mauri on November 24, followed by an interactive family fun day on November 25.

Sponsors
Bupa - $5000
The Southern Trust - $17,800
Abodo, Donelley Sawmillers Ltd - $35,000
Pukeroa Oruawhata - $40,000
Ngati Whakaue Education Endowment Trust Board - $40,000
Francis Moss Boord Trust - $40,000
Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust - $50,000
Friends of the Rotorua District Library - $68,700
Unison - $100,000
Tompkins Wake - $125,000
Bay Trust - $130,000
New Zealand Community Trust - $263,100
Wright Family Foundation - $272,000