| 45 T T Russell Fredric Community innovation The project is being spearheaded by Invercargill Community Connections Charitable Trust. Invercargill Community Connections Trust REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT The Grace Street Project in South Invercargill is being heralded as a bold, once-in-a-generation initiative that could set a precedent for community-driven development. The project is being spearheaded by Invercargill Community Connections Charitable Trust, which was founded in 2020 to establish a mixed-use, all-weather venue in South Invercargill, chairwoman Janette Malcolm says. Janette emphasises that The Grace Street Project is about far more than a building project. “It is a transformative, community-led initiative designed to address intergenerational disadvantage by providing access to education, employment, enterprise and connection.” Located in what has been identified as one of New Zealand’s most disadvantaged communities, research has revealed South Invercargill as a decile 9 community, a rating that signifies an area experiences high levels of socioeconomic deprivation, placing it among the 20% of most-deprived communities in New Zealand, with 36% of youth disengaged from education or employment. Despite making up 34% of Invercargill’s population, the area has virtually no community facilities, and local leaders have called the initiative “the biggest opportunity we’ve ever had” to break cycles of disadvantage. “With strong partnerships in place, and deep grassroots momentum, we are ready to deliver lasting change,” Janette says. The central hub for The Grace Street Project will be a two-level, 800sqm, architecturally designed multi-space, multi-use facility. It will include: A specialist technology centre delivering training and skills development and education-to-employment pathways in partnership with Southern Institute of Technology (SIT), Southland Business Chamber and Great South. Multi-use community spaces for fitness, training, events, and workshops, including for arts and crafts. A co-working and enterprise hub supporting business start-ups, sole traders, and social enterprises, and a sound and podcast studio for developing creative skills and digital literacy. A life coach-supported community lounge helping whānau navigate pathways to a better future. A 24/7 youth lounge offering a safe, independent space for youth. “SIT gave us a large grant to start with, and they’ve signed a five-year lease so they can have a presence and build relationships, and maybe offer some micro-credentials courses so that then they’ve got a much greater chance of bringing those youth and others through to its city campus,” says Janette. The project has also received “incredible” support, with large donors including Invercargill City Council, Invercargill Licensing Trust, New Zealand Aluminium Smelters, Lottery Grants Board and Aotearoa Gaming Foundation. It has also received more than $600,000 in donations from individuals and private trusts. To date, $3.8million of the total project cost of $5.9million has been raised, with stage 1 of the build scheduled for completion in April 2026 and stage 2 for completion in October 2026, subject to the remaining funds required being raised. www.lewisbradford.com Lewis Bradford is proud to be providing the structural engineering expertise for this exciting community project. Congratulations to Community Connections Trust and the team on the excellent progress achieved to date. Proud to be Project Managers for the Invercargill Community Connections Trust Project: The Grace Street Project
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