CHB Mail 7 March 2017

Funding needed for turf

By Clinton Llewellyn

CHB locals are being urged to become foundation supporters of the all-weather, multi-sport turf proposed for Waipukurau's Russell Park as part of a "last big push" to secure funding for the $1.5million project.

The CHB District Community Trust has raised more than $900,000 towards the proposed facility, which will include a full-sized artificial hockey turf, and three full-sized asphalt netball courts.

Equipped with lighting suitable to host regional-level tournaments, the facility would be able to be used all year round in all types or weather.

The facility will be owned by the trust, which also owns nearby AW Parsons Stadium.

Like the stadium, the turf would he operated by Aqua Management under a user-pays System.

If it can secure funding, the trust hopes to have the facility built in time for the 2018 winter sports season.

Chair of the project’s steering committee, Di Petersen, said foundation supporters of the facility would have their names engraved on a tile to commemorate their commitment to the community project.

“We know that the community wants this turf so we now need their help. This is the first time we have gone to individuals,” she said.

“By investing $500 to purchase a tile on which they will have their name engraved, it will commemorate their commitment to this community project. These tiles will be placed along the pathways for all to see.”

Petersen said the trust had raised $904,000 so far and they were waiting on the outcome of other grant applications before approaching the Lottery Grants Board to hopefully secure the final funds.

"We are now down to the last big push for the final funding," she said.

“We have had great support from all we have approached and now we want this appeal to help us raise the last amount before we go to Lotteries."

Sport Hawke's Bay CHB community development officer Nicki Heremaia said her regional sports organisation had been supportive of the project since the very early stages because of the benefits of the proposed facility.

”The establishment of a multi-sports facility including an artificial turf surface in Central Hawke's Bay is of huge benefit not only to the CHB community, but also the region and aligns with the 2015 Hawke’s Bay Sports Regional Facilities Plan,” she said.

"It provides opportunity for sports to grow in capacity offering quality surfaces and lighting suitable to host regional level tournaments as well as evening practices, competitions and general usage.”

It has been estimated the facility would attract 50,000 visits a year from players, officials, coaches, and spectators.

However that usage rate was regarded as a conservative estimate as it did not take into account growth in mid-week and social and inter-business competitions, and new regional tournaments. It also did not take into account usage from new sports like futsal and renegade hockey that could he introduced to the community as a result of the new facility.

A Foundation Supporters form can be requested by emailing [email protected]