The Blue Waters Community Trust was originally established in 2001 with seed money from the balance of the sale of a Bowls Auckland-owned property in Newmarket. The authorised purpose of the Trust was to foster, encourage and safeguard the game of amateur bowls and other community groups in New Zealand.
In 2010, the Trust experienced a name change to what we now know as the Blue Waters Community Trust.
During the nearly 25 years of the Trust’s existence, over $15 million in grants were distributed, with circa $10 million invested directly into bowls through clubs in the Auckland region, Bowls Auckland, and Bowls New Zealand.
Despite best efforts, the Trust has been unsuccessful in relocating their gaming machines at Trident Tavern (to another venue), and/or securing an additional venue in time to continue their gaming Operator’s Licence. This has resulted in the Trust surrendering its licence and ceasing to exist as a possible funder to the community, Bowls Auckland, and bowling clubs.
We wish to thank current Trustees: John Slater (Chair), Allan Smith, Murray Lander, and Ben Marris along with Marco Management, for their expert stewardship and contribution over many years. Further, we acknowledge and thank all trustees who came before them.
The Trust will, for a time, remain open under its charitable status to complete all accountability (for previously awarded grants) and to seize any potential opportunity that arises to explore applying for a gaming Operator’s Licence again (by way of securing another gaming venue).
Bowls Auckland is keenly aware of the contribution of Blue Waters Community Trust and the gap it will leave in historic funding opportunities for clubs. We are currently developing new alternate funding opportunities specifically for clubs, which we look forward to announcing in due course.
In the meantime, Bowls Auckland strongly encourages all clubs to apply and maximise other gaming and/or trust funding opportunities, especially for capital projects. All information on these can be seen at the Bowls Auckland website under ‘club information’.