Auckland Council will invest $120 million over the next ten years to support the development of regional and sub-regional sport and recreation facilities across the region.

Expressions of Interest for the 2019/2020 round are now open, with $7 million available for this first contestable funding round.

Mayor Phil Goff says this fund represents a major investment by council into sports and sports clubs.

“The money available this year, $7 million, will steadily increase over coming years and will allow clubs to maintain, develop and expand their facilities.It’s an important investment in the future of the city to help more people enjoy sport, with all the health and wellbeing benefits that brings."​

“It will help in particular communities where participation is low because facilities and opportunities to get involved are less.”

Deputy chair of the council’s Environment and Community Committee, Councillor Alf Filipaina, reminds people of the positive role that recreation plays in our lives and communities.

“Sport and recreation makes a major contribution to our quality of life, health and wellbeing; it’s also great fun and contributes to stronger communities. We want to ensure Auckland is a place where these activities are a part of our everyday lives,” says Councillor Filipaina.​

Mace Ward, the council’s General Manager of Parks, Sport and Recreation says that population growth and social changes have created opportunities and challenges for Aucklanders, but stresses that sport and recreation opportunities in Tāmaki Makaurau continue grow.

“People are choosing to participate in a broader range of activities than ever before to stay active and healthy. These activities come in different formats and settings, and our sport and recreation facilities need to respond to this. The $120 million fund will allow the council to proactively respond to peoples’ changing preferences.”

The Sport and Recreation Facilities Investment Fund targets investment to increase the level of community sport and recreation participation in Tāmaki Makaurau in three areas:

1. Enabling participation of low participant communities
2. Increasing participation in emerging sports with high growth potential
3. Sustaining or increasing participation in high participation sports.

Mr Ward says that the fund is about proactively investing in Aucklanders changing sport and recreation preferences.

“This fund will support the development of regional and sub-regional facilities that address an identified gap in provision. The fund will focus on community sport and recreation provision that delivers the best outcomes for Aucklanders and ensures that the best possible value for investment is achieved.”

Applications for the fund are invited from:

• Community organisations with a formal legal structure (for example, sports clubs)
• National or regional sport and recreation organisations
• Schools
• Commercial entities may apply for grants in certain circumstances.

Significant facility developments over $500,000 that involve strong partnerships will be prioritised.

Applicants will go through an initial Expression of Interest process before final proposals are submitted in December 2019. A panel of council and sector specialists will assess the proposals against a set of criteria and make funding recommendations to the council’s governing body in March 2020.

Expressions of Interest close at 5pm on 21 October 2019.

Please contact sportandrecreation@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz to discuss your proposal and to initiate the Expression of Interest process.

Visit the council’s website for more information about the fund. 

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