QLDC offering free pool and gym passes to not-for-profits

The Queenstown Lakes District Council is offering free access to community groups wanting to get people active.

Not-for-profit organisations and charities can apply for entry passes to council-run sport and recreation facilities, including swimming pools at the Queenstown Events and Wānaka Recreation Centres, and programmes at Paetara Aspiring Central in Wānaka.

In a written statement announcing the upcoming application window, QLDC community wellbeing coordinator Samantha Saccomanno says the scheme aims to provide access to facilities for people that might find it difficult otherwise.

“Our mission is to get more people, more active, more often."

The scheme is not new, and has been successful in past years in helping community organisations help their clients.

This year Ms Saccomanno says the council is hoping to provide more than 500 entries to it facilities.

She says the council's commitment connects well with a key goal of its Vision Beyond 2050 plan, to ensure council services and places promote and support health, activity and wellbeing for all.

The options available are:

• A pool pass that can be used at the Queenstown Events Centre, Arrowtown Pool and Wānaka Recreation Centre
• An all-programmes pass that can be used at the Wānaka Recreation Centre and Paetara Aspiring Central (valid for all programmes except for yoga)
• An all-facilities pass that can be used at the Queenstown Events Centre (valid for the gym, group fitness classes and the climbing wall)

The funding criteria are:

• Applicants must be a registered charity, incorporated society or not-for-profit group
• Applicants must be based in the Queenstown Lakes District
• Sports groups and businesses are not eligible

Applications open on Thursday, August 1 and close on Thursday, August 22.

More details including how to apply can be found online at: www.qldc.govt.nz/community/community-funding

In addition to the new 'Get Active Community Grant', the QLDC offers a range of 'in kind' support for local events, fundraising and community projects across the district. 

This includes council venue, reserves or equipment hire, regulatory, resource consent and permitting fees, and vouchers that can be used as prizes in raffles or silent auctions.  

More information is available at www.qldc.govt.nz/community/community-funding.   

Main image (QLDC): The main pool at the Wānaka Recreation Centre.