Community spaces stay warm through winter with over $100,000 from Trust Horizon

Three valued community facilities – including Whakatāne’s only day service for older adults – will keep warm this winter with a grant of $106,686 from Trust Horizon.

Approved in June, the grant has contributed to much-needed heating and lighting upgrades at Whakatāne Knox Presbyterian Church, Ōhope Presbyterian Church, and Pohutukawa Day Centre. 

Over the last five years, the facilities’ original heating and lighting systems have become increasingly inefficient. “At first, we noticed the heat pumps weren’t powerful enough to heat such large spaces,” says Church Council Elder Carol Magee. “Then, in the last two years, some of them stopped working altogether, which made the church in the mornings frightfully chilly.”

With the Trust’s grant, Knox Presbyterian Church’s existing heat pumps have been replaced, and further heat pumps have been installed. “To make the facility more eco-friendly, we’ve also switched to LED lighting and moved from paper towels to hand dryers,” says Carol. A new projection and sound system will soon be installed, and Ōhope Presbyterian Church has also transitioned to LED lighting.

As Carol explains, adequate heating was particularly critical for the Pohutukawa Day Centre. Facilitated by Enliven, the programme provides social opportunities and community support for the older generation. The elderly locals attending four days a week – from 9 am - 3 pm – required a warm and dry environment. Without it, the programme would have needed to find an alternative venue or close entirely. Now the heat pumps can be switched on automatically an hour before the group arrives. Colleen Banks, the programme’s manager, says she and the group are delighted with the warmth the new heat pumps give.

The facilities are a valuable community space, available to the public for bookings. Knox Church also has a large commercial kitchen, making it an ideal venue for big gatherings. “We have different people through every week,” says Carol. “There’s a knitting group, funerals, a budgeting course, children’s holiday programme, social nights, and more.” 

Trust Horizon Trustee, Merrin Stables, believes facilities like these play an important role in the community. “They provide a place for people to connect, interact, and enjoy shared interests and activities. We’re pleased to be able to support these upgrades and help ensure the congregations – and the wider community – can enjoy these spaces all year round.”

The upgrade was completed in early August, just in time for the recent cold snap. “It’s really fantastic how much Trust Horizon can reinvest into the community,” says Carol. “We’re so grateful for what they do, and we hope to apply for further funding in the future so that we can make even more improvements.”

Learn more about our Trust Horizon community funding here.