A proposed sports hub for Greytown would replace Kuranui College’s earthquake-prone gymnasium. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
Big plans for Greytown community complex
HAYLEY GASTMEIER
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The Greytown community could be getting a brand-new multi-million dollar sports hub.
A new report recommends replacing Kuranui College’s earthquake-prone gymnasium with a purpose-built facility, and the development of an integrated sports hub with three new sports fields adjacent to the college.
The project’s price tag is estimated to be around $9 million, not including land purchases that may be necessary to pull off the plan.
Kuranui Sports Hub Project Working Group commissioned Global Leisure Group to produce a feasibility study investigating the provision of sports and recreation facilities in Greytown.
Badminton, baseball, basketball, football, futsal [five-a-side football], hockey, netball and rugby would be based at the new hub under the proposal.
Soldiers Memorial Park would primarily be used for cricket, as well as some overflow football matches.
It is recommended a submission be made to South Wairarapa District Council to be a funder and owner of the new facility.
It is proposed the council would lease the required land from the Ministry of Education.
Kuranui College would have a licence to occupy the gym on school days from 8.30am to 5pm.
Greytown Sport and Leisure would manage the facility outside those hours, optimising community use.
Kuranui College principal Simon Fuller said the proposed new development would benefit everyone and be in the heart of the community.
“A shared indoor sports facility that is an asset for both our students and the wider community will add to the well-being of the people of South Wairarapa across all ages.”
South Wairarapa Mayor Viv Napier said she was excited about the proposal.
“This is a once-in-a-generation type opportunity to co-ordinate and look at what’s needed in Greytown for our future.”
She said Greytown’s population was on the up.
“We need to make sure we have the recreational facilities to cope.”
Greytown Community Sport and Leisure Society has 15 clubs with more than 1100 active members.
The society’s executive officer, Jackie Gray, agreed the proposed hub was “the next logical step as we prepare to meet future demand”.
Greytown Trust Lands Trust chairman Sid Kempton said with more couples and young families moving to Greytown, “we need to provide modern sporting facilities to satisfy their requirements”.
“This proposed new model would enable a more equitable distribution of the trust’s continually stretched funds across the entire range of sporting activities taking place in our community, while also having a strong link to education.”
Indoor swimming pool be a great addition
Interesting proposal, as long as it doesn’t affect sports and sports facilities in the other South Wairarapa communities, otherwise we all loose a sense of community identity.