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Friday 2, October 2009
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Despite starting works in mid winter, grandstand construction is on schedule.
The Park is building a head of steam following some significant “wins” in the last 6 months.
“Momentum is terribly important in projects of this scale,” says Sports Park Trust Chair Lawrence Yule. “In the last six months we’ve had two significant wins in the High Court and Environment Court and Unison has come on board as a major sponsor. These are all major milestones for the Park,” he says.
Successful resolution to one of the court processes – a high court judicial review – allowed construction of the 2500 seat grandstand, which sits alongside the athletics track, to commence.
“The partially completed grandstand is clearly visible from the expressway and 13 thousand cars pass there every day so people are starting to get an understanding of what the Park will be like,” says Mr Yule.
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Ken Sutherland and Lawrence Yule at the launch of Unison's sponsorship
The Park received a major boost recently with the announcement of a $1million sponsorship for the proposed Velodrome from Unison, Hawke's Bay's powerlines company.
Unison Chief Executive Ken Sutherland said the Velodrome was a natural project for the company to partner with because both provide key infrastructure for the economic and social development of Hawke's Bay as well as making a mark outside the region.
Mr Sutherland said the aim of the partnership was not only to help provide a world class facility for track cycling, but be a focal point for the development of recreational cycling, which is a significant and growing sport in Unison's network areas; Hawke's Bay, Taupo and Rotorua.
Sports Park Trust Chair Lawrence Yule said "I can't overstate the importance of this sponsorship. Unison is an outstanding supporter of the community and this sponsorship is adding real momentum to the Park's development."
To find our more about Unison go to http://www.unison.co.nz/
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Ngahiwi Tomoana, Chair of Ngati Kahungunu and new Trustee for the Sports Park
Prominent Maori leader and Chair of Ngati Kahungunu, Ngahiwi Tomoana, will join the four strong Board of Trustees for the Sports Park.
"We're delighted Ngahiwi has agreed to join us," says Lawrence Yule. "Maori represent a quarter of Hawke's Bay's population so it's important they have strong representation on the Board, and Ngahiwi will bring that."
For more information about Ngati Kahungunu go to http://www.kahungunu.iwi.nz/
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Hawke's Bay has excellent outdoor training facilities to complement the velodrome.
Hawke's Bay has a number of biking attributes that make it a compelling location for cyclists.
Ramblers Cycling Club (Velodrome) president Ivan Aplin said the fact his club was the second largest in the country was a result of those attributes.
"Hawke's Bay has an excellent mix of flat and hilly terrain, great roads, not much traffic and fantastic weather. In fact the combination of these factors is the best in New Zealand and it's an important complement to the Unison Velodrome because track cyclists actually do most of their training on the road," he says.
The region also has 40km of Rotary cycleways for the recreational cyclist and outstanding mountain bike tracks. The Hawke's Bay Mountain Bike club, with over 2000 members, is easily the largest in the country.
Hawke's Bay, along with Wanganui and Auckland, is bidding to become home to the North Island's only indoor velodrome. Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC) is undertaking a review of major facilities in New Zealand, including cycling facilities. The region that is endorsed will be in a strong position to seek funding from central government for what will be a national facility. Funding from central government is considered key to the viability of the velodrome.
To find out more about Ramblers Cycling Club go to http://www.ramblers.co.nz/
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Netball and football are the next priorities for development at the Park
All subsequent development at the Park, except the grandstand, is subject to raising sufficient funds. The following table is an estimate of when development might occur:
| Athletics track |
Complete - successful first season in 2008/09 |
| Grandstand |
Will be completed in July 2010 |
| Unison Velodrome |
If Hawke's Bay is endorsed as preferred region and if funding targets are reached, construction will commence in the latter half of 2010. The Velodrome has an 18 month build time |
| Netball |
A high priority. Earthworks are due to commence Jan 2010 so the courts can be available for the 2010 season. Ability to meet these dates is dependent on funding success between now and the end of 2009 |
| Football |
Also a priority. Objective is for grass to be sown in Autumn 2010 for use later in the year, but not for the 2010 football season. The artificial pitch is more likely to occur later. |
| Tennis |
Development would ideally occur at the same time as netball and football but a more probable outcome is that the tennis courts will not be available until 2011. |
| Central building |
This is the biggest ticket item and dependent on some funding from central government. It is possible this may be developed in stages - for example essential netball facilities in 2010. Construction of the main facility estimated to commence in 2011 |
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Ross Brown, Headmaster of Napier Boys' High School
The Sports Park Supporters Club received its biggest single boost recently when 500 Napier Boys' High School students signed up.
School Headmaster and Secondary School Sports Management Committee Chair, Ross Brown, said his school's endorsement of the project was a "no brainer".
"The Park is a 12 minute drive from Boys' High (yes I have timed it), so it's an important asset for Napier schools as well as Hastings. We showed the boys a flyover of what the Park will look like at our assembly and within a couple of hours 500 had joined the supporters club," said Mr Brown.
To find out more about Napier Boys' High School go to http://www.nbhs.school.nz
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There are now close to 3000 members of the Supporters Club.
The surge in the last month is a result of strong support from Napier Boys High School and Lindisfarne College. Over half the combined roles of these schools has joined.
Alongside this, members of the public have continued to join through events such as Sport Hawke's Bay's highly successful Sport Expo at Pettigrew Green arena.
If you haven't already you can join on-line by clicking here http://www.sportspark.co.nz/coming-soon/subscribe/
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What happens in the Unison Velodrome, apart from track cycling?
The Velodrome will be a magnet for individuals and events from throughout NZ because it will be the only covered venue in the North Island. However experience at New Zealand's only other Velodrome, in Invercargill, suggests it will be mainly used by the community for such things as "learn to ride" for youngsters, business house leagues for work groups and indoor cycling for older people.
The inner track will be used for netball and tennis (4 courts), indoor football (futsal) and exhibitions.
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