Mataura Community Board members were updated on progress in the development by Gore District Council parks and recreation manager Keith McRobie at its meeting last week.
There were three components to stage two: a full-sized basketball court, repurposed on the existing tennis court, a new toilet and changing room building and a splash pad/outdoor water play facility.
The basketball court has been completed.
In his report Mr McRobie said the building permit application for the toilet and changing rooms building was submitted at the end of August.
Coombes, the New Zealand-based provider, planned to be on site in early to mid-October to install the splash pad.
The total cost of the project was $1,128,304.79. Of this amount, $1,017,977.95 had been secured from external funders, and $70,000 was left over from the Stage 1 development.
There was a shortfall of $40,326.84.
The solar lighting requested by the board for the unlit portion of the Stage 1 walking trail had been ordered.
The lighting will be installed as soon as possible and funded from the Mataura Parks maintenance budget.
Speaking to his report Mr McRobie said funding from Tourism Infrastructure Fund and NZ Lotteries depended on the building consent being granted which was why the work could not start.
"The splash pad would be the largest of its type in the South Island."
During the discussion board chairwoman Nicky Coats said at the last meeting board members were told the shortfall was $16,000 and now it was $40,000.
She asked if Mr McRobie knew how the shortfall would be met.
Mr McRobie said there were a few options he could explore.
Mrs Coats suggested the Coster Fund could be a source of funding.
Board member Laurel Turnbull said the Tindall Foundation might be another possibility.
It was likely the work would be finished by early December, Mr McRobie said.
After the meeting Mr McRobie said 95% of funding for the project had come from external sources.
