Sports Park Hawke's Bay

Sports Park Hawke’s Bay will become home to a world class hockey venue if recommendations submitted by the Sports Park Trust are adopted.

 The Trust is recommending that Hastings District Council provide part funding for a new facility with construction starting towards the end of 2012.

 “We have been looking for a facility that has national, and ideally international appeal. Hockey ticks both boxes and provides an opportunity to showcase Hawke’s Bay internationally,” says Sports Park Trust Chair Lawrence Yule.

 Mr Yule said there were strong prospects of the region hosting an international 6 nations women’s tournament and two tests per annum. “Television coverage for these internationals is huge and often includes a profile piece on the region in which they are being played,” he says.

 Hockey New Zealand Chief Executive Hilary Poole said the Hawke’s Bay support of hockey was tremendous. “The ‘Hawke’s Bay’ sponsorship of the Black Sticks is critical to our preparation for the London Olympics. This new facility will be fantastic for hockey and growth of the sport in the region,” says Poole.

 Iain Taylor, Chair of Hawke’s Bay Hockey, said the facility will provide an international complement to Napier’s Park Island facility.

 “While Park Island will remain the hub of hockey in the region an international venue really puts us on the map and will be a major boost to the game here,“ he says.

 The new facility will incorporate a “blue turf” surface, the same as that used for the London Olympics. It comprises: 

• A full playing turf and a half practice turf
• 800 seat grandstand, media and player facilities
• Lighting enabling televised evening matches
• Associated landscaping

 The international hockey facility is the main component of the Sports Park’s stage 3 development which has an estimated project cost of $4.3m.

 Hockey internationals are estimated to result in an annual $1.1m increase in economic activity in the region.