QLDC launches Get Active Community Grant to provide free access to sport & recreation facilities

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is launching the 2025 Get Active Community Grant to help get more people, more active, more often.

The annual grant enables eligible organisations to apply for QLDC Sport and Recreation facility entry passes so their patrons can access the facilities on offer at Queenstown Events Centre, Wānaka Recreation Centre and Paetara Aspiring Central.

QLDC Community Partnerships Advisor Marie Schmidt said the grant aims to give access to facilities for people that might find it difficult otherwise.

“The 2024 grant enabled 595 entries into our facilities which is a great result. It represented a 41% redemption rate which we’re hoping to improve with this year’s programme as we’re simplifying the passes on offer.”

“This year, we’re focusing on making the process even easier for organisations to apply and for participants to use the passes, so we can help more people enjoy the benefits of an active lifestyle.”

The Get Active Community Grant will now feature two types of passes. The first pass is a free swim pass which grants access to Alpine Aqualand, Wānaka Recreation Centre and Arrowtown Memorial Pool (in the summer). The second pass is an all facilities pass which grants access to all sport & recreation facilities offerings, excluding our sport leagues and some programmes.

The 2025-2026 grant funding criteria remains the same as previous years which is as follows:

• Applicants must be a registered charity, incorporated society or not-for-profit group.

• Applicants must be based in the Queenstown Lakes District.

• Sports groups and businesses are not eligible.

Applications for this year’s grants open on Friday 1 August and close on Sunday 24 August.

More details including how to apply can be found online at: www.qldc.govt.nz/community/community-funding  

ENDS|KUA MUTU.

Media contact: communications@qldc.govt.nz or call 03 441 1802.

FURTHER INFORMATION | KĀ PĀROKO TĀPIRI:

In addition to the new Get Active Community Grant, QLDC offers a range of ‘in kind’ support for local events, fundraising and community projects across the district.

This includes Council venue, reserves or equipment hire; regulatory, resource consent and permitting fees; and vouchers that can be used as prizes in raffles or silent auctions.

More information about these options are available at www.qldc.govt.nz/community/community-funding. 

This helpful page also includes fundraising tips and links to other non-QLDC funding bodies.