Mount Maunganui Playcentre has had massive support following the news of its potential closure, but the support may not be enough.

Only time will tell if Mount Maunganui Playcentre can raise an estimated $600,000 still needed to build a bespoke playcentre at Golf Road Reserve.

The playcentre – which is operating at near full capacity – is required to relocate to the new site as part of the Tauranga City Council's redevelopment of Blake Park – its current home.

Playcentre Aotearoa, the Ministry of Education and TCC have all provided financial support to Mount Maunganui Playcentre for the project – but the centre is still $600,000 short and the deadline for deadline for payment is June 2023.

'We still need an estimated $600,000 to complete the build. Without it, we will face closure. Every small donation makes a difference,” says the playcentre's Givealittle fundraiser page for the relocation project. In seven weeks the page has encouraged 42 donors to gift $14,837. The page's goal is $100,000.

In a statement, the playcentre says it's still positive about their ongoing relationship with Tauranga City Council but realise there's work that needs to be done.

'Mount Maunganui Playcentre and TCC have maintained a positive working relationship since the possibility of our relocation was raised over a decade ago.

'We are currently on a monthly lease arrangement with TCC in our current centre at Blake Park. For now, we are focussed on raising the funds required to start construction on our new centre in 2023.”

Mount Maunganui Playcentre parents are fully committed to helping achieve its relocation dream. 'Alongside our wider Mount Maunganui community and alumni, our current members and their families are dedicated to reaching our fundraising goal.

'We are passionate about our playcentre and the important role it plays within our community.

'For almost 50 years, Mount Maunganui Playcentre has had a positive impact on thousands of tamariki and we are excited to continue the important mahi we do at our new location at Golf Road Reserve.”

According to Playcentre Aotearoa chief executive David Moger, 'Playcentre Aotearoa is already supporting Mount Maunganui Playcentre to the extent possible”.

Mount Maunganui Playcentre parent Karen Clarkson says on November 5 the playcentre, in collaboration with local business Kitchen Takeover, hosted a fundraising event that netted more than$ 76,000.

'The team at Kitchen Takeover donated $8000 and the rest of the total was raised by our centre organising a wonderful line-up of auction items – all donated by local businesses and individuals,” says Karen.

'We are blown away with the success of the event; and it reminds us of what an incredible community we are part of. This is a huge step towards our fundraising finishing line.”

Stacey Jones has attended Mount Maunganui Playcentre for eight years with her three children. Twelve years ago, she and her husband left both their families behind in the United Kingdom when they moved to New Zealand.

'As a working mother and business owner it can be a lonely place. The connections I have made at playcentre have allowed me to find a community of like-minded mums.

'Like many whānau here in the Bay of Plenty, we lack family connection. I have been a playcentre mum for over eight years now – it's a place close to my heart.”

Mount Maunganui Playcentre's Givealittle page is at: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/mount-maunganui-playcentre-relocation