Sports Park Hawke's Bay

Stage one of Sports Park Hawke’s Bay’s development was completed today with the completion of the grandstand that sits alongside the athletics track.

The official opening was undertaken by Deputy Prime Minister Bill English and Regional Sports Park Trust Chair Lawrence Yule.

“The athletics track has been used by tens of thousands of athletes since it was opened in 2008 and having the grandstand is only going to add to that number,” says Mr Yule.

Mr English said the grandstand was an excellent example of what a local business, national funders and the community could achieve.

“It is hard for a community to fund projects of this scale and partnerships with the business community and national funders, in this case the Lotteries Grants Board, are a good solution. National funding is especially appropriate for this facility because in three weeks time it will host the National secondary school athletics championships”, says Mr English.

The grandstand was built by Havelock North construction company Gemco. The Gemco work was completed on time and within the project budget.

The new facility will host the New Zealand Secondary School Athletics Championships on 11 and 12 December and the North Island Primary School Athletic Champs – the Colgate Games – in early January. The two events will be attended by a total of 6000 athletes and supporters. It is estimated they will inject over $2m into the local economy.

For more information contact:  Lawrence Yule   Ph: 0272 496206