The Kāpiti Community Recreational Turf Trustees were awarded for their voluntary outstanding Kāpiti Multi Sport Arena achievement.
The trust behind the Kāpiti Multisport Arena is seeking council support for a planned $1 million-plus development.
Trust celebrates Turf anniversary
Kāpiti Community Recreational Turf Trust is set to celebrate the first anniversary of the Turf facility at Mazengarb Reserve.
New Trust chair, Roger Sowry, says since its opening a year ago the Turf has proved to be a valuable asset to players of many different codes including hockey, soccer and touch.
“The turf is recognised throughout the Wellington Region as a top class facility, with up to 1000 players using the turf every week during the winter months. Our current projects include the construction of dugouts and a kiosk,”said Mr Sowry.
A gathering of supporters will be held to celebrate the Turf’s first year at the venue on Friday March 26th. Mr Sowry says the Trust is very grateful to the community for their support to date and praised the efforts of trustees in bringing Stage One to a successful completion.
“We will be launching a concept for Stage Two – the construction of a pavilion including changing rooms, offices, social facilities and spectator seating.”
With an expected cost of $1-$1.2million, the Trust is now seeking financial support from KCDC and the local community. Once the pavilion is constructed it will be possible to host national and international tournaments. Mr Sowry says the benefits to Kāpiti of such a facility will be significant. “This is a chance for Kāpiti to really put itself on the map”, he says.
It is planned for construction to commence next summer with completion by the end of 2012.
The Mazengarb Reserve turf opened a year ago and had a “satisfying” first year, the Kāpiti Community Recreational Turf Trust told councillors at last Thursday’s Kāpiti Coast District Council meeting.
But basic facilities are needed, and the trust is looking to build changing rooms, toilets, office rooms, and spectator seating, trustee Dave Jennings said.
It wants to turn Mazengarb into a “sportsville”, that could hold national and international events, he said.
The trust is looking for support from the council for the toilets and changing rooms, and the trust would provide the office and meeting rooms.
The indicative cost for the development is $1 million to $1.2 million.
Kāpiti Coast Hockey Club president Jamie MacDuff said the turf is used around 22 to 27 hours a week in winter, and Wellington Hockey is its number one customer.
Kāpiti senior teams had grown from four to eight, and there are now more than 120 senior players, and 300 junior players.
Visiting teams came from all around the Wellington region, he said.
Councillor Lyndy McIntyre said the council had just completed its draft annual plan process, and asked why the trust’s request had come at such a late stage.
But Mayor Jenny Rowan said there was still time for the trust to put in a submission and she looked forward to seeing one as part of the annual plan process.
Public consultation on the council’s annual plan begins on April 12 and runs through to May 13.
Click on the below link to find out how to book the fantastic facility or part-take in upcoming events at the Kāpiti Multi Sport Arena, located on Scaife Drive Mazengarb Reserve, Paraparaumu.
