Momentum is building for the transformational Tūparikino Active Community Hub project at the New Plymouth Racecourse with Council announcing they have secured another $400,000 grant from NZ Community Trust. This brings NZCT's contribution to $800,000 when including the recent turf grant.
This grant is for the construction of a $6m, 800m2 pavilion to be in the heart of the Tūparikino sports precinct. The pavilion will feature eight changing rooms with ablutions, four public toilets, storage, two multipurpose rooms and covered outdoor spaces to provide shelter for spectators. It will be located adjacent to floodlit hockey and football turfs. Nearby will also be netball courts and grass fields for rugby, touch, cricket and other activity.
Tūparikino’s Director, Steve Bramley, said the pavilion would offer ample facilities for all the planned sports, provide spectators with comfortable views across the site, and give tournament controllers an excellent operation base.
“We’re making this sports hub work hard to make the best use of every available dollar. The pavilion will be a great asset to everyone using the infield day and night - it’s all about the best experience possible for players, spectators and organisers across the different sports so that we maximise the community return.”
Tūparikino’s Director, Steve Bramley,
With top quality facilities and efficient, collaborative operating models, the precinct is set to transform traditional ways of thinking about the governance and delivery of sport and recreation in the region. It will be a catalyst to boost activity and wellbeing with more equitable access to sport and recreation for all.
The funding announcement comes hot on the heels of last month’s announcement of another $400,000 grant by NZ Community Trust to the Taranaki Synthetic Turf Trust to resurface their hockey turf at Hobson Street.
NZ Community Trust Regional Advisory Committee Jen Blyde said: “Our two grants totalling $800,000 shows just how important the wider Tūparikino project is for the future of sport and recreation in our region. To have a facility in the heart of New Plymouth will be the jewel in the crown for our region. The community has lacked access to enough quality sports facilities for too long and deserves better. With the help of our partner venues and their patrons, we’re delighted to be able to partner with Council and other funders to make Tūparikino a reality.”
Construction of the turf complex and pavilion is due to start in September 2023.