The Active Thames 2018's indoor sports facilities project received a much welcome boost with the Lotteries' Community Facilities Fund approving a grant of $450,000.

Active Thames 2018 is behind a new skate park at Porritt Park, a new indoor gymnasium, located at Thames High School and a multi-sport clubroom development at Rhodes Park.

A preliminary design for the new Thames Indoor Sports Facility. Image: TCDC/File

This initiative of the Thames Community Board, in partnership with the Thames Sport and Education Trust, also has major support from the Thames High School.

Thames Community Board Chair Strat Peters says the project was one of only about a quarter of applicants that received grants.

'This backs up our belief that the Active Thames 2018 programme has substantial merit and the value of this project to our community.”

The goal is to complete all three projects by the end of 2018, with the skate park the first project goal, but local fundraising for all three projects is now under way as one combined effort.

Thames High School Principal Dave Sim says the funding from the Lotteries' Community Facilities Fund provides a wonderful boost to this project.

'It's really exciting to see the indoor facility move closer to reality, particularly after so many people have been working towards this over a long period of time,” says Dave. 'The facility will be a real asset to the school, and especially to the community as a whole.”.

Thames Sport and Education Trust chairperson Mary Hamilton is delighted with the latest funding news.

Mary has been working hard behind the scenes driving fundraising efforts and says there has been amazing positivity and generosity from the Thames community.

'This Lotteries funding is just fantastic news,” she says. 'It consolidates all the hard work of the fundraising team and confirms that these projects are necessary and viable.

'This has truly been a team effort and we would like to thank the businesses, community groups, families and individuals who have pledged their support and contributed to making this happen.”

To see a list of pledges and supporters visit the Thames-Coromandel District Council's Active Thames project page click here.

The location plan for the Thames Indoor Sports Facility. Image: TCDC/File