Phase 1 work completed on Te Pūawaitanga sports hub

Physical work to create five sports fields at Te Pūawaitanga - Bay of Islands Sports Hub in Waipapa has wrapped up with Phase 1 of construction completed.

Four of the fields have been sown in couch grass – two being sand-based turfs and two soil-based. The fifth playing surface is a training field sown in rye grass. However, it will be several months before players can enjoy the new fields. They will remain closed until at least early 2025 to allow grass on the specialist turf fields to grow in and the entire complex will remain fenced off to protect the grass during this essential bedding-in period. Once there is sufficient couch grass coverage, the fields will then need to be rolled and irrigation systems tested before they can open for use by rugby league, football and cricket teams.

Other works completed include a sealed carpark with 144 marked parking spaces, eight disabled parks and three bus bays. A toilet block and a concrete path has been constructed, and extensive landscaping, fencing, and weed control has been undertaken. A water supply has also been commissioned and is now being tested, and a wastewater system installed.

Phase 1 of the sports hub construction had a budget of $10.758 million with $8.758 million provided by council and $2 million from the government’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund.

While Phase 2 of the project is currently unfunded, the resource consent allows for future projects to support the growth of sports in the region. Possible additions include club and changing rooms, a hockey field, additional multipurpose sports fields, softball diamonds, and cricket outfields and nets for training. Further engagement with sports groups and the public will be required to confirm project priorities and timelines.

For more information about the project visit our current projects page on the FNDC website.