The structural steel arrived on site on 4th June. Manufacturers John Jones Steel, based in Christchurch, have sent a team to Wanaka to erect the structural steel floor and shell, which they expect to complete within 20 days. The following photos show progress during the first 4 days of construction.

The driver says it took 2 full days for a specialised team to load the truck!! Only 3 hours to unload, luckily.

Trenches for foundations were dug in early March, under the supervision of Site Arborist Ben McFarlane. With boxing, piles and reinforcing steel installed during the latter half of the month, the site was ready for concrete, which was poured on 5th April.

Left to right: Pile driving; boxing and reinforcing; concrete being poured; Chairman Michael Sidey, Architect Alistair Madill and former Trustee Kevin Gingell-Kent keep a close eye on progress; Foreman Hemi Karamaena levels the concrete strip footing; the completed foundations.

The Trust is excited to report that construction has finally started on the Watersports Facility. 
Breens contractors are putting up fencing and preparing the site, working in conjunction with Works Arborist Ben McFarlane, of Wanaka Tree Care. Ben's role is to supervise works around the existing trees, in accordance with the Tree Protection Management Plan.

The Lion Foundation has granted $40,000 towards construction costs. The Trust thanks the Lion Foundation for this support.

A pledge of $25,000 has been received from an member of the public. The willingness of a number of individuals to make a personal contribution is very heartening for the WWFT.

The WWFT will apply to the Southern Trust and the Graham and Olive West Trust for grants towards fittings.

As part of their $1.2 million funding round in June, the Central Lakes Trust approved a grant of $650,000 towards construction of the Watersports Facility. In their media release, the CLT noted that the facility will provide externally accessed public toilets in an area where currently none are provided, and will improve safety for rowers " ....  currently crossing the busy Wanaka/Mount Aspiring Road at times of low light. The new facility ensures enough storage to eliminate this hazard for the members." The WWFT greatly appreciates this boost to funding of the facility.

In July, the Trust received a grant of $40,000 from the Alexander McMillan Trust. The WWFT is grateful for this support.

This brings to total funding for construction to $1.14 million. The Trust has further applications for construction costs lodged with Lotteries and the Lion Foundation, and expects to hear from these groups in November.

A number of personal donations, totalling $60,000, have also been made towards ongoing planning and consultant costs prior to construction. ​The Trust thanks these donors for their backing of the project.