Promotional grants for the Vincent Community ward have been undersubscribed by $20,000 for the past three years, which meant only half the funding was allocated in the latest round.

Thymed Events NZ was successful at gaining $5000 for the Clyde Classic and $2500 for its Alexandra Airport Backyard Ultra 2026.

Mountain Bikers of Alexandra was also awarded $2,795 for medic support at its next Linger and Die Enduro MTB race later this month.

The Vincent Community Board considered the applications on Monday (September 8) and heard that organisers of the Clyde Classic donated 25 percent of the entry fees to the local school for new sun shades last year.

There were lengthy discussions around the table regarding community grant allocation, with nine applicants all vying for a slice of the $76,951 pie.

Puna Rangatahi (Alex & Districts Youth Trust) would receive its annual $6,000 operating grant, which would be increased to $10,000 next year.

Community development lead Rebecca Williams said the increase reflected the rise in operating costs and the group hadn’t had any increase in funding since 2012.

Clyde Museum was allocated $3,500 towards stage 3 of its restoration project, and the Alexandra District Museum Inc given $10,000 towards an upcoming exhibition.

Cr Tracy Paterson said the work Central Stories did in the community was underestimated, and Cr Martin McPherson backed that up, saying: "Museums act as a conduit of information to visitors, and if Central Stories didn’t exist, this community would be missing out."

Residents of Juniper Close in Alexandra were awarded $2,100 to cover up an “eyesore” of a utility box on their street, which they intend to paint over with a mural.

Some concern was expressed that the board could end up with more residents looking for funding to cover up other utility boxes around the town.

The Dunstan Equestrian Centre was given $15,000 for carpentry costs of its new toilet block and changing rooms; Alex & Districts Pipe Band Inc was given $3,000 for hall costs; $800 was granted for hanging baskets in for the Keep Alexandra and Clyde Beautiful group; $1,400 for new blinds at the Alexandra Toy Library; and $3,000 for Alexandra Community Advice Network.

Rebecca said it was the hardest round of community grants she had ever been involved with, “because of the demand and they are all exceptional projects".

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