Auckland Council is investing $15.3 million to support the sport and recreation sector to develop facilities across the region.
The Sport and Recreation Facilities Investment Fund is a ten-year, $150 million fund established through Auckland Council’s 2021-2031 Long-term Plan. There is $15.3 million available in this latest funding round.
Expressions of Interest for the 2022 round are open from 15 November 2021.
Mayor Phil Goff says, “This investment of more than $15 million will enable more Aucklanders to participate in community sport and recreation activities.
“It aims to help in particular those communities that currently have low participation in sport because of a lack of facilities or fewer opportunities to get involved and will enable sports organisations to maintain, develop and expand their facilities.
“This is a significant investment in grassroots sport and recreation and will help more people to enjoy sport and all the health and wellbeing benefits that it brings.”
Chair of council’s Parks, Arts, Community and Events Committee, Councillor Alf Filipaina, reminds people that even during COVID-19 lockdowns recreation plays a positive role in our lives and communities.
"Sport and recreation makes a major contribution to our quality of life, health and wellbeing. Even though we’ve been in a long lockdown, Aucklanders have made the most of our wonderful parks and beaches to remain active. But it is easy to overlook the role sport and sports clubs can play in our lives. This investment fund makes sure we continue to support those who help the rest of us stay or become active,” says Councillor Filipaina.
Mace Ward, the council’s General Manager of Parks, Sport and Recreation says that Tāmaki Makaurau is a great playground for all ages where the importance of sport and recreation continues to be high.
“People want choice when looking to be active. There are many ways of providing these opportunities and this fund allows the wider sport and recreation community to deliver a broader range of activities than ever before to stay fit and healthy."
The fund is contestable and open to non-council organisations for significant facility development with the focus on communities in the greatest need of investment.
Mr Ward continued: “The fund looks to partner with community and others in sports provision across the region and complements the facilities and programmes run by the council. We are looking for applications that focus on creating the best outcomes for Aucklanders and ensures the best possible value for investment is achieved.”
The fund will prioritise significant facility developments over $2,000,000 that focus on increasing playing surface capacity and supporting infrastructure such as changing rooms.
Applicants will go through an initial Expression of Interest process before final proposals are invited in February 2022. A panel of sector specialists will assess the proposals against a set of criteria and make funding recommendations to the council’s governing body in September 2022.
Expressions of Interest opened at 9am 15 November and close at 5pm on 12 December 2021. We expect to announce the final allocation in September 2022.
Please contact sportandrecreation@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz to discuss your proposal and to initiate the Expression of Interest process.
Visit the council’s website for more information about the fund.
