106 Architects is completely thrilled to see the New Plymouth Multi-sport Hub project out in the public arena after so much work over the past 9-months!
This has been a huge collaboration with the sport’s stakeholders, led by Sport Taranaki CEO Michael Carr with New Plymouth District Council and Global Leisure Group.
The project is a huge step forward with widespread community sport benefits.
Sport Taranaki Press Release Issued 3 September 2020
PLANS FOR NEW PLYMOUTH’S MULTI-SPORT HUB REVEALED
The Master Plan revealed for the multi-sport hub at New Plymouth Raceway today have been welcomed as an important step forward for a project with widespread community benefits.
The Master Plan has been developed by specialist sports architects and planners in consultation with sporting organisations, Te Atiawa, New Plymouth District Council and New Plymouth Boys’ High School. They are designed to plan for a project that not only will solve a number of facility issues sports are struggling with but will also create an intergenerational recreational space the whole community will benefit from. As a regional sports trust Sport Taranaki was charged with leading a collaborative project including a needs assessment and Master Plan development for submission to the NPDC Long Term Plan process.
The Master Plans, which are designed to be phased, include provision for a six-court indoor stadium facility, movement space, hockey turf and facilities to accommodate a range of other sports and activities including rugby, netball, football, volleyball, badminton and cricket. There will be easy walking or cycling access to the site, which will provide new links through to Pukekura Park and the CBD beyond. The multi-sport hub will have family-friendly play spaces and be an inviting community space where people connect and get active. High-level costs for the project have been compiled. The first phase which includes the indoor stadium, hockey turf and supporting infrastructure has been costed at $62.5 million.
A detailed Community Sport Facility Needs Assessment completed in 2019 showed there was an especially urgent need for indoor court space and artificial turf. Hockey, basketball and volleyball are three sports where playing numbers are surging and courts and turf struggle to cope. In 2019 hockey had 1809 registered players in Taranaki, with nearly 1200 of these in New Plymouth. Numbers of hockey players across Taranaki increased 31% in four years. Basketball grew 9% to 2160 registered New Plymouth players and volleyball grew by 48% to 320 in the same period. Analysis showed basketball, volleyball and hockey did not have enough space while premier netball also were short of indoor competition space.
Sport Taranaki CEO Michael Carr said the project was a once in a generation opportunity that would have far-reaching community and health benefits.
“Our sportspeople are crying out for this facility and as a community recovering from the impacts of COVID-19 we need ways to make it easier for people to get more active. This hub will be much more than a sporting facility, this will be a focal point for a more connected and healthy community”.
While the cost of the project is significant, improving health outcomes across the community through welcoming, easily accessible and flexible leisure spaces was a critical decision to make, Carr said.
“This project is not just about sporting infrastructure, the health of the community is at its heart. Our community infrastructure has been built when our leaders showed courage and vision and built for the long term. They were major projects but no one argues that Pukekura Park or the Coastal Walkway should not have been built. Now we have another chance for a step-change for the city that is needed now, but will become part of the community fabric in the future that makes us special.”
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Director of Regional Relationships Emma Speight said they recognised the need for a multi-sport facility and appreciated the benefits that a collaborative approach to developing this will bring to the region.
“To enable the smooth delivery of this project, Waka Kotahi is working with New Plymouth District Council to identify any early concerns that could arise on the state highway network as a result of the development,” she said.
