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Tuesday, 30 June 2026

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

Applications for this year’s grants close on Sunday 19 July.

Wanaka Recreation Centre Lap Pool V2

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is launching the 2026 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.

“In 2025 we were able to support 558 entries across our facilities and we’re hoping to boost that even further this year,” Ms Scmidt said.

The Get Active Community Grant features 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 some selected programmes (gym, climbing wall, group fitness and some sport programmes).

The 2026-2027 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 Monday 29 June and close on Sunday 19 July.

More details including how to apply can be found online.

ENDS | KUA MUTU

Media contact: 03 441 1802

communications@qldc.govt.nz

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 is available on our Community Funding page.

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