Zealandia - an experience and an opportunity

President Michael Fagg from Rotary Club of Karori writes:

I firmly believe the Zealandia Education Centre project gives Rotary a great opportunity for branding as the proposed site is only about 500 metres from the entrance.

We know by combining our efforts we can create bigger, better and bolder projects!!

Read on ...

Education Shelter Project at the Karori Wildlife Centre
The Karori Sanctuary Trust has requested assistance to fund a facility to be used as a base for its education programmes for school and other youth groups.
The sanctuary runs an active education programme. The shelter will provide much needed teaching space and a place for visiting groups to have meals and shelter from the weather if needed. It will also be well used by visiting groups in school holidays.
The facility will be built within the Sanctuary in a sheltered area close to the entrance and visitors centre. Sketch plans are attached. The teaching space is open sided and there will also be a small kitchen/resource room and toilet facilities.
The Sanctuary Trust has offered the project at a fixed cost of $70,000. Fletcher Construction, who built the new Visitors Centre, has offered a labour contribution.
The Sanctuary Trust will manage the construction and provide cash-flow until the funding target is reached. The project can be financed over a 12 month period, provided a substantial contribution is available before construction starts. No GST is payable on contributions given to the Sanctuary Trust as a donation.
The project could be undertaken as a joint project of interested Rotary Clubs of the Wellington area. A capital sum is currently held by the Rotary Trust that runs the annual Gutbuster fundraiser as a maintenance fund for the Rotary Centennial Project at the Discovery Area. The Sanctuary Trust will release Rotary from its commitment to maintain the Tower Structure if we agree to support the Education Shelter project.
Up to $40,000 could be released from the Gutbuster funds. The remaining $30,000 could be raised through club contributions and dedicated fundraising.

The Rotary Club of Karori has agreed to lead the project. The Rotary Club of Wellington has also indicated some interest in joining as co-sponsors.
Construction can start shortly after funding is confirmed. The Sanctuary wishes to have the facility open by the start of the 2011 school year.
Further information is available from Cliff Daly – Past President, Rotary Club of Karori (Bus ph 0274 371 391)