Sports Park Hawke's Bay

Earthworks have begun for the development of 18 netball courts at the Regional Sports Park.

"This is an exciting day for netball and the Sports Park generally," says Sports Park Trust chair Lawrence Yule. "We didn't think we'd be able to do the courts this year but PAK'nSAVE came on board with a substantial sponsorship towards the end of 2009 and that has enabled us to push things along."

The 18 courts and associated carparks cover an area of 25,000 square metres. Approximately 2000 cubic metres of topsoil will be removed and placed on the area of the Park being developed into seven football fields. 

"We're working to tight deadlines to have the courts available as early in the season as we can. If we get a reasonable break with the weather we should have them in June," said Mr Yule.

"This is going to be a major shot in the arm for netball," says Hastings Netball Chair Joan Cameron. "We have had a design briefing and the players and spectators are going to enjoy the experience at the new facility. There is going to be a minimum of six metres between each court compared to one metre where we are now. And there are over 500 hundred carparks," says Mrs Cameron.

The initial earthworks, which began today, are expected to be completed within a week. The Sports Park Trust is negotiations for the substantive part of the "stage two" development works.

Grass for the seven football fields, which are adjacent to the netball courts, will be sown in the Autumn with the fields being available for use later in the year.

For more information contact:
Jock Mackintosh
021 808303