The Bob Turnbull Trust, established in 2013 by the estate of the late Bob Turnbull, has donated $600,000 towards a purpose-built, multi-use community facility on the Omakau Recreation Reserve.
The community-driven project, which is led by the Manuherekia Valleys Community Trust with support from the Central Otago District Council, is the biggest construction project the Manuherekia and Ida Valley communities have seen for decades.
Bob Turnbull Trust benefactor Peter Brabant said the trust felt it was a good project to get behind.
"It benefits the whole community as per Bob’s wishes," he said.
Wife and fellow trustee Julie agreed and said it felt good to be able to support the community’s efforts on behalf of Mr Turnbull.
"Bob would well and truly approve," she said.
Community trust chairman Andrew Paterson said he was "stoked" when he heard the news.
"I was so excited that I hugged Julie — I offered to hug Peter but he turned me down," he said.
"I didn’t know what to say initially, I was over the moon then realised with that donation the project will actually happen."
The hub was aimed at bringing together many community groups under the one roof and would be a "legacy for future generations", Mr Paterson said.
With project costs estimated to be between $4 million and $5 million, the recent grant from the Bob Turnbull Trust rose the fundraising tally to $1,710,000, building on the $1million Vincent ratepayer funding approved through the Central Otago District Council long-term plan 2021-31 process, an $80,000 donation from the Matakanui Combined Rugby Club and $30,000 raised through the Winter Crop Challenge donated by the Omakau Earnscleugh Collie Club and the Omakau and Poolburn schools.
Draft concept plans would be available for the public to view and provide feedback at the Central Otago Show at the Omakau Domain on February 11.
Mr Paterson said he and the community trust were thankful to those who had been involved in getting the project and fundraising to this point.
"It’s been a while in the making," he said.
