Central Otago groups are set to get their share of $555,653 allocated in the latest round of Otago Community Trust (OCT) grants.

Among those who have been allocated a portion of the funds in the trust’s July distribution round is the Alexandra Miners Village and Riverside Park Trust, which will receive $100,000.

The trust is set to transform downtown Alexandra with the development of the Alexandra Riverside Park. 

The project aims to rejuvenate the downtown CBD by creating a vibrant public space at the confluence of the Mata-au/Clutha and Manuherikia Rivers. 

It will serve as a multi-purpose community hub, offering improved access and connectivity for pedestrians, cyclists, and trail users, while also providing a family-friendly recreational area.

Alexandra Riverside Park Trust chair Rory McLellan said the financial support would assist the project greatly.

“A riverside public space and hub has been a long time in the planning, and support from funders such as OCT mean we can finally get cracking and create it.” 

Other Central groups to receive OCT grants in the latest round include $8000 to The Cromwell & Districts Community Trust, $5000 to the Alexandra Central Otago District Arts Trust, $6000 to Alexandra Primary School Charitable Trust (COEC Ltd), and $5000 to the Cromwell Chamber Music at the World's Edge Foundation.

Groups also benefited in Dunedin, Mosgiel, Oamaru, Wānaka and other outlying areas of Otago.

Read more: Riverside Park will mark significance of rivers