Mayor Jenny Brash says Porirua's $17.5 million Te Rauparaha Arena has been given a $3 million lottery windfall that will ease the burden on ratepayers, reports Matt Calman in today's Dominion Post.

Internal Affairs Minister Rick Barker handed over the cheque from the Lottery Significant Project Fund to Mrs Brash at a public gathering at Pataka Museum on Tuesday.

Mr Barker said it was important to support significant regional projects that would be used by many future generations.

Mrs Brash said the grant achieved a council target of paying for a third of the building with community grants.

A further third of the funding came from the sale of the Aotea Block to developers, and the rest from council loans.

"This was quite a controversial decision back in 2004. A lot of people were concerned that it would be too heavy a burden on ratepayers.

"This grant is important. It will allow us to complete the Te Rauparaha Arena and meet our targets for funding."

The 3000-seat indoor stadium is to be opened on November 21.