Pettigrew Green Arena stopbank car park gains support from Hawke's Bay Regional Council
The preferred stopbank reserve parking solution for the expansion of the Pettigrew Green Arena (PGA) indoor sports facility has gained Hawke's Bay Regional Council (HBRC) support on Wednesday.
PGA chairman Craig Waterhouse said the support by HBRC and last week by Napier City Council was a step forward. The vote was a significant confidence boost from HBRC for the much-needed expansion from three basketball courts to nine, ensuring that Napier and Hastings youth will have greater access to participating in sport.
"The primary focus of this indoor facility is that our rangitahi don't miss out on opportunities to play sport, and presently that's at risk due to significant growth in basketball, futsal and volleyball, placing pressure on court availability."
The over the stopbank car park has now been supported by both Napier City Council and Hawke's Bay Regional Council ahead of other options. These include a car park at the end of the expanded facility and a hybrid option of parking at the rear as well as part of the stopbank reserve land.
PGA chairman Craig Waterhouse said these other options would risk double spending with the car park eventually being built on by future facility expansion as the growth of indoor sports continued.
"The last thing we want to do is create a car park and then rip it up a few years later to expand the facility."
"The stopbank option future proofs any additional expansion as sports like basketball, futsal, volleyball and netball continue to grow substantially. The car park over the Tutaekuri River stop bank adjacent to the indoor sports facility will initially have capacity for 365 vehicles with a further 150 carparks may be 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 for the community users. It is budgeted to cost $2.5 million and will be maintained by Pettigrew Green Arena. It will provide better and safer parking for community use of the; pump track, river with fishing and swimming, the pathways for dog walkers, biking, running, and walking. PGA will install lighting and security cameras for additional safety. Pettigrew Green Arena will use the parking predominantly during the school term for evening community sports users, and EIT will use the car park weekdays in the school terms for students.
PGA will now submit a resource consent application for the $20 million indoor sports complex expansion in January as well as kick start a fundraising campaign to fund the shortfall. PGA has been successful in receiving $6.4 million from the government's Provincial Development Unit “shovel ready” fund as well as $4.1m commitment from Napier City Council.
"This is the single biggest investment in the future wellbeing in youth in Hawke's Bay, and we will look to national, regional funding support as well as funding from local businesses and individuals who are keen to ensure the health and wellbeing opportunities for the community, especially youth. Over 90 per cent of users are under the age of 19."
A construction partner will be announced in January and Mr Waterhouse indicated work on the project will be underway by the end of March.
"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.
"It is fantastic to have the Napier City Council and the Hawke's Bay Regional Council working together for the community wellbeing, and supporting Central Government's investment for the Bay.
