• Milestone in Pettigrew Green Arena expansion project with support for long-term car park solution

Milestone in Pettigrew Green Arena expansion project with support for long-term car park solution

The $20 million expansion of the Pettigrew Green Arena has passed a major milestone with Napier City Council supporting the development of a carpark over the Tutaekuri River stop bank adjacent to the indoor sport facility.

The stop bank car park option, one of three options presented, was unanimously supported by all councillors and Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise.

Other options put forward included a carpark at the end of the expanded facility as well as a hybrid option of parking at the rear as well as part of the stop bank reserve land.

However, Pettigrew Green Arena chairman Craig Waterhouse and EIT Hawke’s Bay chief executive Chris Collins told councillors that if the preferred option of the stop bank wasn’t supported then it could be a “show stopper” for the community project that has government recovery ‘shovel ready’ funding of $6.4m as well as $4.1m from Napier City Council.

“This is the biggest investment ever in the future wellbeing of youth in Hawke’s Bay. It is first and foremost a much-needed expansion for the community, with over 90 per cent of users under the age of 19.

“Our favoured option is to build a car park that future proofs any additional expansion into the future as sports like basketball, futsal, volleyball and netball continue to grow substantially," they said. 

They also noted that it would be a significant boost to the economy as the region can attract national and international events.

The stop bank car park will initially have capacity for 365 vehicles with a further 150 carparks added at stage two. It will be designed as an eco-friendly and flood resilient surface and will enhance the connection with the Tutaekuri River and Waiohiki community.

EIT Hawke’s Bay supported the stop bank option as Collins pointed out that students were unlikely to use a carpark behind the expanded facility due to distance from campus. He said it was likely students would continue to park in the surrounding residential neighbourhood instead.

Collins also told councillors that EIT closely monitors the river levels as it’s used for storm water systems and in the last 25 years they had never experienced flooding covering the proposed car park site.

The Chairman of the Sustainable Napier was pleased with the unanimous support from councillor and said, “after listening to the presentation from council staff, EIT, and the Pettigrew Green Arena Trust there was one clear option and that’s the stop bank car park.”

Waterhouse said Napier City Council’s support of the stop bank carpark is a boost for the project for when the carpark option is tabled at the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council meeting on December 16.

PGA will take responsibility for the maintenance of the car park including damage from any potential flooding. Mr Waterhouse also acknowledged that although there is a risk of flooding there are enough warning measures in place to mitigate damage to vehicles.

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council is the consenting authority for the use of the stop bank land.

“This extension is long overdue. Users are demanding more and more court space; the lack of space affects the health of our children, they are not moving back to grass-sports, they are simply not participating in sport.