Alexandra Elim Church Trust received a $250,000 grant towards building a multi-purpose community space, which will include a 215-seat auditorium, two multi-functional spaces and a commercial kitchen.
Senior pastor Aaron More said they were delighted with the grant, which would allow them to begin work early next year after three years of planning and fundraising.
The church trust has raised $500,000 towards the $1.25million project.
Some ‘‘very generous" donors, the AAW Jones Trust and a variety of events had contributed to their fundraising efforts, he said.
"Over the past three years we have been developing plans and raising funds to transform our property [in Ngapara St] into a modern, multi-purpose facility," Mr More said.
In addition to the existing programmes that would benefit from the space, the church trust also envisioned new initiatives such as a school of arts offering affordable after-school music, dance and drama lessons being established.
"This grant will help us start the project in early 2024 and will result in a fantastic facility that will not only be used by the church but also various groups that serve our community. We are grateful for the support of Central Lakes Trust and look forward to seeing this project become a reality."
Community groups including Alexandra Community Patrol and Alzheimer's Otago already used the church as a base and Mr More hoped more community groups would be able to make use of the new building.
Central Lakes Trust (CLT) chairwoman Linda Robertson said the trust approved 37 grants amounting to more than $2.5m at its recent board meeting which was the largest funding allocation of the 2023/24 financial year.
More than half the approved grants directly benefited our youth, she said.
They included $320,000 to Wakatipu Youth Trust, $260,000 to Kahu Youth, and $154,476 to Alexandra and Districts Youth Trust to support their operational costs.
Many CLT operational grants were multi-year grants, giving organisations funding certainty for up to three years.
"It is paramount for us to invest in our youth as they are the future stewards of our community," Ms Robertson said.
Other project grants included;
Alexandra Primary School mural for school redevelopment — $4000.
Central Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association 126th Central Otago A&P Show 2024 — $8478.
Cromwell Presbyterian Church light party 2023 — $3310.
Cromwell Primary School outdoor learning environment — $100,000.
