The people of Waitaki can have their own small piece of the new Network Waitaki Event Centre, with the latest fundraising project.

Event Centre Trust members hope this Friday the 13th will be a lucky one for them, with the launch of the “Purchase a Plaque” initiative, which allows individuals, families and teams or organisations to buy a stainless steel, triangle plaque with their name on it.

With the demolition of the original Centennial Park grandstand complete, and construction of the new centre set to begin on September 23, the trust has decided the timing is right for the next fundraiser, trustee Deidre Senior says.

This money will be used for everything additional to the building itself - the interior fit out of the facility and the car park.

“The building itself can go ahead and that's why the construction is starting on that . . . but obviously you can't just have an empty shell, it needs to be well-equipped and fit for purpose too.”

The goal for this is between $4-5 million dollars, she says.

Ōamaru business AcuCut has donated material and labour for the plaques, which will come in three different sizes.

The smallest will cost $200, medium $500 and large $1000. There will also be a $5000 “diamond” plaque. 

Each plaque will have the name of the individual or group who paid for it engraved on it, and together they will make up a mountain design.

“Collectively, these plaques will then create a larger art installation that reflects our area - our mountain to climb,” she says.

A sketch of the mountain design created by AcuCut's Kathryn Swann.

AcuCut designer Kathryn Swann is the talent behind the concept, which has six diamonds, 38 large triangles, 183 medium and 412 small, with the goal of raising $250,000.

“This art piece will be installed onto a wall in the foyer as a feature - to acknowledge the support of these people, and to celebrate our Waitaki area,” Deidre says.

“The triangle shape came about because it's geometrically interesting how they connect with each other . . . The shape is also a representation of Waitaki - two triangles make a W, it has connections to the main sponsor Network Waitaki and their logo, and it also represents the Waitaki Valley and our landscape with the mountains and valleys that connect together,” Deidre says.

It was designed to be inclusive, so anyone could contribute. 

“So a group of people could contribute - put together $200 and still be part of it, or people who wish to, can donate $5,000.”

The diamonds are going to be more “bespoke” and AcuCut will work with those donors to put company logos, colours and whatever else they choose, on them. 

“So those ones will stand out,” Deidre says.

It is hoped this will not be the only installation in the centre, but it will be the most prominently positioned, in the foyer.

The triangles can be bought online through this form.

The plaques will be sold on a first-in, first-served basis.

All going to plan, the Network Waitaki Event Centre will open for business in February 2026.