An all new $2.35 million venue for sports and community groups has opened in Arrowtown.

The Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) managed Arrowtown Community Centre, overlooking Jack Reid Park, is the new permanent home of both the Arrowtown Rugby Club and Arrowtown Scout Group.

The centre was officially opened at the beginning of 2019 and president of Arrowtown Rugby Club and secretary of Arrowtown Community and Sports Centre Trust, Simon Spark, paid tribute to everyone  who had supported the project, including the QLDC, which provided around $1million of the total project cost and will maintain the building and manage bookings.

QLDC mayor Jim Boult also praised those involved.

“I have no doubt that this beautiful building that you now have has been worth the wait. Enjoy your new home, look after it, and be sure to remember the journey that it took to get here,” he told the rugby and scouts representatives.

The main function room is equipped with a kitchen and bar and can be partitioned three ways to provide a flexible space for events, functions and meetings.

Arrowtown Community Centre was funded by QLDC, Central Lakes Trust, Lottery Grants Board, Peter Wilding Trust, NZ Community Trust, Community Trust South and Arrowtown Rugby Club.

Booking enquiries can be made to the QLDC Venues team based at Queenstown Events Centre.