The proposed Wairaka Centennial Park development has its first confirmed community funding contribution.

Past members of the once-thriving Jaycees service club have decided to contribute $15,000 to the project from funds that were not allocated when the club went into recess some years ago. A young persons’ leadership organisation whose members had to be between the ages of 18 and 40 years, Jaycees operated in Whakatāne for some 60 years and undertook numerous service projects for the community.

Past member Bob Gillon says meeting the cost of two of the electric barbecues to be installed as part of the park’s planned upgrading was seen to be an ideal use of the unallocated funds. “This could be the Club’s last major activity, so it’s fitting that we support a community development project which will create such a significant and popular recreation facility.”

He adds that it is also fitting that the donation marks the 100th anniversary of Jaycees establishment in New Zealand.

The $870,000 project was included in the Whakatāne District Council’s recently adopted 2015–25 Long Term Plan and will see the development of a landscaped picnic area with shade shelters and barbecues, terraced steps into a confined swimming area in the river, a new tidal pool and zero-depth water play area for younger children, and realigned car parking and vehicle access. The LTP anticipates that $270,000 would be provided by community organisations and funding agencies, and the project will not proceed until community funding commitments of at least $200,000 have been received.