Far North multi-use facility wins $500k NRC funding
Wednesday 19 November 2008, 8:07PM
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Northland Regional Councillors have agreed in principle to fund a $500,000 share of a proposed Kerikeri-based multi-use sports facility.
The Council today (subs: Weds 19 November) agreed in principle that $500,000 from its Recreation Fund should be allocated to the Far North District Council (FNDC) to help fund a $2 million multi-purpose building at the Kerikeri Sports Complex.
The Regional Council (NRC) has collected a Regional Recreation Facilities Rate since mid-2006, most of which is being used to help fund a proposed multi-use events centre at Whangarei’s Okara Park.
However, earlier this year the NRC called for applications for $500,000 collected through the rate to aid access to the natural environment and identify/develop other Northland recreational and sport facilities.
Council Chairman Mark Farnsworth says 44 applicants – including the FNDC – had responded collectively seeking more than $3 million.
Mr Farnsworth says after lengthy deliberations, a special NRC Sub-Committee recommended this month the Kerikeri facility receive the full $500,000 available and the full Regional Council today backed that approach.
“That funding is subject to further details of the proposal being provided and to the FNDC entering into an acceptable funding agreement.”
Mr Farnsworth says the Kerikeri Sports Complex is intended to become a District centre for rugby, netball, cricket, league, touch, social tennis, athletics, running, walking, mountain biking, triathletes and other associated recreational activities and programmes.
It will ultimately comprise 12 netball courts, three sports fields, 300-plus car parks and the multi-purpose shared facility with eight changing rooms, canteen, social area, officials meeting and control rooms, kitchen and tiered decking for spectators.
It is part of a wider project to develop a significant central regional recreational hub in the Far North. The hub will comprise a redeveloped Kerikeri Domain, modern family-friendly facilities to accommodate multi-sport use of the Kerikeri Sports Complex and indoor/outdoor recreational facilities at Waipapa-based Bay Sport.
Mr Farnsworth says the Far North is the latest District to benefit from the Regional Council Recreation Fund, with the NRC also agreeing in principle last year to fund an up to $700,000 stake in a 50-metre pool the Kaipara District Council has proposed for Dargaville.