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Friday 22, January 2010
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Earthworks for the development of 18 netball courts and 8 football fields will commence in February
The development of eighteen netball courts and eight football fields has begun. The commencement of "Stage2" of the Park follows approval to proceed at a Council meeting in December.
"Planning has been under way for some time and the earthmovers will be starting work in February. We're pulling out all stops to have the netball courts available as early in the season as we can," says Sports Park Trust Chair, Lawrence Yule.
Hastings Netball President Joan Cameron said it will be fantastic to see the courts become a reality. "It's been a long time coming but I'm sure it will be worth the wait. We're going to have 18 courts, great parking and much better space between the courts, so it's a better spectator experience. We've only got 12 courts at the current venue (Sylvan Rd), inadequate parking and no space between the courts," she says.
The budget for Stage 2 is $3.8million. Hastings District Council is funding $1.4million and the balance - $2.4million is being raised by the Regional Sports Park Trust. The Trust has the task of developing and managing the Park.
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David Smith of Hastings PAK'n SAVE tries to get the ball past Central Pulse goal defence Bessie Manu. Photo courtesy of Hawke's Bay Today
The Smith family, owners of Hastings PAK'n SAVE, are the naming rights sponsor of the Hastings PAK'n SAVE Netball Centre, located at the Regional Sports Park.
"This is very, very important for netballers in the region and the Sports Park generally," says Sports Park Trust Chair, Lawrence Yule. "The fact is we wouldn't have the new courts without the Smith family investment in the sport, and I can't praise them enough," he said.
Family spokesman David Smith, on behalf of his wife Pam and sons Aaron and Brendon, said they had been long time supporters of netball and could see what a boost the new courts would be for the sport.
"We get a lot of support from the community and we're really pleased to lend a hand in something that will benefit so many people. I can't wait to come down here during the season and see hundreds of players in action," he said.
The Smith family formed part of the "opposition" to members of the Pulse netball team at the sponsorship announcement in December. "It gave me a good appreciation of the physical demands of a the game!" says David.
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Bob Patterson, CEO of Central Football
"Football in New Zealand is going to get a boost on a scale not seen before following the All Whites qualification for the World Cup," according the Central Football CEO Bob Patterson.
Central Football manages the game in the Central North Island.
"We have 14,500 players in the Central region (4,300 in Hawke's Bay) and that number has been growing at 6% per year for a number of years now. We expect it to grow more following New Zealand's World Cup qualification so the development of eight additional fields at the Sports Park site is a major boost for the game," he says.
Seven of the fields will be grassed and one will be an artificial turf. The seven grass fields will be sown in Autumn and the artificial turf will be laid as soon as additional funds are raised.
"The additional fields also boost our tournament hosting ability. That's important for the game and for the local economy," says Mr Patterson.
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The roof is being placed on the 2500 seat grandstand
Development of the 2500 seat grandstand, adjacent to the athletics track, is proceeding on time and within its $5million plus budget.
"It's a large and exciting project ," says Ashley Hartley of Havelock North Construction company Gemco. "Much of the roof is now on and it's very visible as cars drive past on the expressway."
"The columns which support the roof are the main feature people notice and although they're huge, their placement is precise. Hastings' firm Latteys Civil Engineers, is responsible for the manufacture and placement of the columns and they're working within a 2-4mm tolerance. That's a tiny margin for error when you're dealing with something so big," says Mr Hartley.
The grandstand is due to be completed in July 2010. A few months after its completion the Sports Park will host the New Zealand Secondary School Athletic championships (December 2010), followed by the primary school equivalent - the Colgate Games - a month later. The two events are expected to inject $3million into the local economy.
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Artists impression of Unison Velodrome
The region awaits an outcome to its bid to build the Unison Velodrome.
Hawke's Bay, along with Auckland (2 bids), Hamilton, Palmerston North, and Wanganui, has put its case to SPARC and cycling's national body - Bike NZ - to be the preferred location for a North Island velodrome. The region remains confident that it has the best overall package to offer cyclists, but as yet has no clear direction on the preferred location.
All of the regions bidding for the velodrome will require Government assistance and receiving endorsement from Bike NZ is an important factor in gaining government support.
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Beatrice Faumuina wants to exceed the Commonwealth Games qualifying standard at the Sylvia Potts Classic
The 11th Sylvia Potts Classic athletics meet, which takes place at the Sports Park this Friday 29 January, will have former world and Commonwealth Games champion Beatrice Faumuina competing.
"We're thrilled Beatrice is coming," says Chair of Hastings Athletics Allan Potts. "She has already met the Commonwealth Games standard of 56 metres but has said she wants to exceed it every time she competes, so we can expect a big throw at the Park."
The meet will include over 100 of the nation's premier athletes including a top class female 800 metre line up.
"The 800 metres was 'Sylvia's distance' and her best time of 2 minutes and 4 seconds remains competitive, so if it's bettered on Friday we'll certainly recognise that," says Mr Potts
The meet starts at 5.45pm.
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