Rototuna seeks investment to develop community hub

The Rototuna Community Hub could have the same concept as the Te Awamutu library. Photo / File

It is time for Rototuna to see some investment being put back into the local community — that's the message being sent to Hamilton City Council.

Residents say the north-eastern Hamilton suburb lacks community infrastructure. During the city's draft 10-Year Plan process, the council approved $18 million to be put towards developing a community hub, but the proposal does not include a swimming pool.

A delegation from Rototuna High School spoke about the need for community infrastructure in Rototuna. During the 10-year plan hearings, student Mia Wilson, 14, told the council that the community desperately needed the hub to help Rototuna grow.

"The community hub and a sports park would definitely be used by our school," Mia said.

Mia said that currently students are forced to go as far as Cambridge to be able to train for different sports codes due to the lack of suitable infrastructure in the suburb.

Another RHS student, Diakan Govender, said his football team was disadvantaged when competing at nationals as there are no AstroTurf facilities to train on in Hamilton.

"The whole nation was there from the different regions, and they all have AstroTurf to train on and our area is the only place in the country that does not."

At the hearings Councillor Paula Southgate asked RHS board of trustees chair Megan Campbell if the school would be willing to enter a partnership with the council to help with the construction of the hub. She agreed.

RHS has previously been involved in providing community infrastructure, such as The Peak, a sports hall on its grounds, along with a playground and an up-coming bike track which is open to the community.

The YMCA charitable trust also raised its hand at the hearings to help develop a community hub.

Hamilton YMCA general manager Graeme Mead told the council they wanted to help grow Hamilton.

"You have a long-term plan which includes looking at building a pool in Rototuna," Mr Mead said.

"The board from YMCA is in a cash-rich facility at the moment. It has no debt. So we have a substantial portion of money that we would like to invest in Hamilton.

"We want to be a partner in the development of pools and facilities."

Mr Mead said the figure was between $5 million and $7 million.

The chair of the north-east community trust, Katy King, spoke after Mr Mead's submission, and said it was a prayer answered that the YMCA was wanting to help fund a swimming pool in the area.

"We've been pooling our money into the city's rates for some time. It is now time to see some investment being put back into our community," Ms King said.

"With the gentleman from YMCA, my eyes lit up when he said he wanted to invest in swimming facilities."