FOX GLACIER COMMUNITY CENTER
The Fox Glacier Community Centre opened on the 22nd of April 2017. This was a huge undertaking for a small village, funding was sourced and over time the project came to life. The facility offers an exceptional range of services and multi-functional spaces. There are two function rooms (one large and one small) along with a full-size sports stadium, fully equipped gym, postal service and small library. All facilities are available for hire and memberships are available for sporting spaces. The community centre is also the Civil Defence Welfare Centre because it is well equipped in the case of a large-scale emergency.
Function Rooms
The Fox Glacier Community Centre is home to two multi-functional rooms whereby the layouts can be fully customised depending on the type of function being hosted. In addition, the sports stadium can also be hired for large-scale events or functions.
The Social Room
The Social Room is the larger of the two dedicated function rooms and can host a maximum capacity of 50 (seated). This space has both internal and external access and is linked to a well-equipped kitchen designed with catering to this many people in mind and more. The space is light and airy due to its large windows with rural vistas. There is a state-of-the-art AV system with drop large down projector screen perfect for presentations and movie screenings. Tables and seating are available for a fully customizable layout and there is a diverse range of lighting options to help set the mood.
HIRE INCLUSIONS:
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- modern trestle tables (610 x 1800) and comfortable upholstered seating for up to 50 pax.
- modern lounge suite seating (3 x three seaters, 1 x two seater plus optional corner couch)
- use of the adjoined kitchen facility (optional direct serving hatch into the function room and access door).
- AV system with projector & microphones (please enquire for technical specifications if needed however instructions are provided).
- portable whiteboard
- festoon lighting, downlighting on a dimmer, and bright lights.
- power usage
Meeting Room
The Meeting Room is the smaller of the two dedicated function rooms and can host a maximum capacity of 15 (seated). This space has internal access only and is the designated Te Wheke Digital Hub facility. It has guest computers, printers, and Wifi access set up for workshops, small-scale presentations, and a collaborative workspace. There is a large portable TV with the ability to operate as a computer and/or smart TV. Tables and seating are available for a fully customizable layout. There is also a handbasin and an area that can be curtained off so can be utilized as a massage/health/dressing space. When you hire this space you also have access to the large kitchen (although there is no hatch, it is in a separate space).
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HIRE INCLUSIONS:
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- modern trestle tables (610 x 1800) and comfortable upholstered seating for up to 15 pax.
- modern lounge suite seating available upon request.
- access to the modern kitchen facility
- Large portable TV/Computer
- portable whiteboard
- power usage
OPTIONAL EXTRAS (ADDITIONAL COST):
- tea and coffee
- room set up and pack down
- cleaning fee
Sports Stadium
The sports stadium can be hired as a function room for larger events. The seated capacity is 500 and in the past has served well as a wedding venue, funeral service and community market days and festivals and expos.
The space has a hatch that accesses the large kitchen facility. The main entrance to this space is located directly in front of the main entrance to the entire building and there is one more additional internal entrance on top of this very close to the toilet and bathroom/shower facilities. There are three external fire doors, two accessing the back of the building and one accessing the front of the building.
Please note that carpet needs to be laid over the flooring if being used as a function room - carpet is available and included in the cost.
HIRE INCLUSIONS:
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- modern trestle tables (610 x 1800) and comfortable upholstered seating for up to 50 pax.
- Up to 80 pax wooden stackable chairs.
- modern lounge suite seating available upon request.
- access to the modern kitchen facility
- Large portable TV/Computer
- portable whiteboard
- power usage
- carpet and carpet laying to protect the stadium floor.
OPTIONAL EXTRAS (ADDITIONAL COST):
- tea and coffee
- room set up and pack down
- cleaning fee
Gym
The Fox Glacier Community Centre is home to a members-only very well-equipped, well-lit, spacious gym with stunning mountain views and large enough to accommodate 5-8 fitness enthusiasts comfortably at any one time. There is a great selection of weights and weight-training equipment. There is a rowing machine, treadmill, cross trainer, a bike, and a stepping machine. Members have access to yoga mats and protective flooring. Towels and sanitizer are provided for wiping down equipment before and after training. Access is via members' swipe cards. Members are responsible for ensuring the space is kept tidy and the access doors are locked when not in use.
Would you like to become a gym member?
Sports Stadium
The Sports Stadium has been designed to support the following sporting activities:
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- Badminton (x 3 courts)
- Volleyball
- Basketball
- Netball
- Soccer nets available
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Members of the community are welcome to instigate sporting clubs whereby a group of people are organised to play a sport and the member of the club would then pay a seasonal fee which covers the hire cost of the facility.
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Only white sole shoes can be worn in this area.
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Stadium hire can be linked to a gym membership or separately.
Te Wheke Digital Hub
The Te Wheke Digital Hub is located in the Meeting Room and has been set up to support members of the community who require a quiet workspace. Think of it like a communal office. This is a free service and there is access to laptops, printers, portable TV/computer (perfect for presentations), laminators, rotary trimmer, headphones, pads, whiteboard, and free Wifi.
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Te Wheke Digital Hub is an initiative of Destination Westland Ltd made possible with the support of Development West Coast and the Provincial Growth Fund. The Digital Hub functions as an anchor facility for programs to lift the region's digital capability. The digital hub offers a digital capability service to businesses, communities, and individuals called Te Wheke Digital Hub Mastermind.
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Te Wheke Digital Hub Mastermind offers South Westlanders the opportunity to up-skill and seek digital support through free in-person training with a core focus on digital business optimization and marketing. The Fox Glacier & Whataroa Digital Hubs will be utilized in alliance with a digital specialist, Jody Direen, who will be hosting and teaching the Mastermind Workshop Series – a mix of group learning and bookable one on one sessions. Whether you are in the early stages of conceptualizing a business idea, looking to optimize your current business's digital assets, or simply have an interest to learn more about digital marketing – this is for you! Everyone is welcome. Come along and receive support on ANYTHING digital. Examples include Online Branding, Digital Marketing Strategy, Social Media, building your own website, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), running ads on Meta (Facebook & Instagram), Google Ads, Google My Business, Blogging, Email marketing, E-Commerce, Trip Advisor, Microsoft Office and so much more.
Community Development Officer (CDO)
The Community Development Officer (CDO) is funded by Fox Glacier Community Rate which forms part of the landowner's rates paid to Westland District Council. The Fox Glacier Community Rate funds all or part of the following activities:
- Transportation & stormwater
- Township Development Fund (TDF Fund - administered by Fox Glacier Development Incorporated Society (Fox Inc).
- Parks & Reserves
- Community Development & Assistance (CDO - administered by Fox Glacier Development Incorporated Society (Fox Inc).
- Glacier Country promotions.
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The CDO is based out of the Community center and is responsible for weekly and emergency communications & updates via email & social media with the community, the running and administration of the community center and its array of facilities (e.g., managing gym memberships, booking the function rooms and managing the day-to-day postal service).
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The CDO is the contact point for all things related to the Fox Glacier Community Center and is a great first point of contact for newcomers to the area for information regarding postal, rubbish, community center facilities, health and so on and to engage within the community.
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There is a useful information board on the wall opposite the CDO office.
Postal Services
The Fox Glacier postal service is located within the first corridor of the Community Center and is managed by the CDO, out of the CDO office. This is a postal agency whereby we can offer postal services such as the postage of letters, parcels, and international post.
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Please note, we cannot offer New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) services such as purchasing road user charges, vehicle registrations, etc. Please visit their website to complete those requirements.
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All incoming letters need to be addressed to a P.O. Box number for easy retrieval. Post boxes are located to the west of the community center externally. To open a P.O. Box, please enquire in person at the CDO's office located inside the main entrance of the community center. Note, you will be required to have identification (either a driver's license or passport) in order to open a P.O. Box. This is a FREE service.
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If you are a seasonal worker, please ask your employer for access to their P.O. Box number.
Receiving Letters Into A P.O. Box
Receiving Packages
When ordering online, please note there are some things to be aware of:
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- The postcode for Fox Glacier is 7859 and not all companies accept this. In this case, they typically bump you to 7668 or like which is Whataroa.
- In some cases, online orders will not deliver to a P.O. Box number.
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In the above instances, the recommendation is to put as much detail on the address form as you can (e.g. name of the business, your name, your street address on Google, P.O. Box Number (if there is the space) and as many "Fox Glaciers" as you can. A good place to reaffirm this information is in the "delivery instructions" section if available. This all goes to help the courier drivers get items to the right place.
Library
The Fox Glacier library is located within the foyer of the Community Center and offers a small yet diverse selection of reading material. Most of the items have been donated. This is a free community asset. To utilize the library there is simply a form on a nearby table to complete when books are removed and returned.
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There is also a selection of jigsaw puzzles and other items which can be borrowed.
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It is the community members' responsibility to keep the library tidy and return books to the correct spot.
Civil Defence Wellness Center
The Fox Glacier Community Center doubles as the Civil Defence Wellness Center. This means that in the event of a state of emergency, the building becomes the Civil Defence point of contact. It is important to note that it does not become the Civil Defence Center but the location where community members come to register their well-being and receive updates and information in a state of emergency.