An “absolutely fabulous” public art sculpture and a big screen for Molyneux Park were among the five projects who failed to gain council funding this week. Nine others were successful, sharing over $114,000 in community grants.

The Vincent Community Board were faced with the onerous task of allocating grants under a new contestable system which succeeded in its aim to open up the opportunity to a wider range of applicants.

Central Otago District Council community development officer Nikki Aaron told the meeting the Vincent ward had been the most successful in the region in attracting new applicants. Groups had initially been invited to apply for three years of funding but the council now wished to review the system and would only allocate grants for one year at present. She anticipated a new funding round to be open by March next year.

One newcomer involving a project to erect a large bird sculpture near Dairy Creek was met with enthusiasm by the board.

At the lengthy meeting on Monday, Marnie Kelly of Historic Clyde Inc. spoke of the group’s request for $28,500 toward the $74,000 total cost to complete the project.

Marnie Kelly of Historic Clyde Inc.

“At present the entrances to Clyde from the state highway consist of a mish-mash of many signs including a very outdated Welcome to Clyde sign. Our group agree that Clyde needs a new image  that will be unique and recognisable so we’ve chosen a sculpture of the Karearea, New Zealand’s native falcon. It will be Clyde’s first public art piece.”

She said the falcon would be mounted on a 3m to 4m pole and incorporate an historic gold mining pipe as part of the mounting. Well-known Glenorchy sculptor Dan Kelly would create the piece using low maintenance recycled materials such as flattened warratahs from the Maniototo to form its 5m wide wingspan.

Deputy chairman Russell Garbutt praised the idea but the board agreed that funding limitations would not allow them to help finance the project. 

“I think their idea is absolutely fabulous. It sounds magnificent,” he said.

The group would be approached for more information with the possibility of applying again being left open.

Also declined was a request from Otago Country Cricket for $25,000 toward an electronic scoreboard at Molyneux Park. CODC staff had recommended $10,000 be given but the majority of the board felt the group should work with other users of the Park to find ways of funding and supporting the project.

Cr Ian Cooney, who voted against declining the application, felt the project would benefit winter sports users and the whole sporting community. Others felt ample council support had already been given.

The remaining three projects that failed to gain funds were Bolder Inn who requested $10,003 for equipment and uniforms for a climbing wall facility, the Earnscleugh Irrigation Company who sought $24,375 for riparian enhancement of Fraser River and the Ophir Welfare Committee who requested $1500 for swimming pool operations.

The Alexandra District Museum received a further $61,758 following an earlier $18,242 hardship grant. How the museum is supported is currently being reassessed by council to allow more future financial security, the meeting heard.

The Shaky Bridge Reserve group received their full amount of $9,393 for planting and Keep Alexandra Clyde Beautiful were granted $2500 of a requested $8,475. The work of the Haehaeata Natural Heritage Trust, particularly in supporting other community groups was praised by the board. They were granted the full amount requested of $5,450 to expand a native plant nursery.  Both Galloway(granted $5000) and Earnscleugh($1500) Halls were supported, along with the Salvation Army($297).

The Alexandra Community Advice Network received $4000(requested $5000) and Alexandra and Districts Youth Trust received the full amount requested of $6000 for operational costs.