Construction is finally under way on the Saxton Field Sports Stadium, with Tasman District Mayor Richard Kempthorne and Nelson Mayor Kerry Marshall turning the first sod on the site on 23 May 2008.
Mayor Kempthorne said he was delighted to support the development of Saxton Field and stadium, which will be used by several sports codes.
“It has been good to work with Nelson City Council on this and the result will be an excellent sports and recreation facility for the region,” he said.
Mayor Kempthorne said the Saxton stadium was the latest of several successful sporting and community developments that Tasman District Council has been involved in, including the ASB Aquatic Centre, the Moutere Hills Centre and the Murchison Sports, Recreation and Cultural Centre.
“This facility will offer great opportunities for sport and physical activity and for community groups to work together,” said Mayor Kempthorne. He said the facility would house Sport Tasman's offices in future, enabling it to operate from the hub of sporting activity in the region.
Nelson Mayor Marshall was equally positive about the stadium, acknowledging the vision and dedication of the local sports community in working together on a project that promises such benefits to the region.
“Saxton Field is positioned to be one of the top stadiums for participation sports in the country,” he said.
“We’ll have basketball, netball, volleyball and table tennis facilities suitable for national-level competition.”
Nelson MP Nick Smith said the development was the biggest investment ever made into sports facilities for the people of the Nelson region. He gave credit to both mayors and councils for their leadership in getting the project under way.
Dr Smith said that the stadium was part of a long-term plan to make Saxton Field one of the top integrated participation sports precincts in the country. He said that the facility would be an investment in youth, health, and sporting success that would pay dividends for years to come.
Funding has come from Nelson City Council ($5.4 million) and Tasman District Council ($3.6 million). The Saxton Field Sports Stadium Society is fundraising for a contribution of $2.5 million. Of this, $1.7 million has already been raised, with a further $800,000 still to go, with the shortfall being met via a deferred loan from Nelson City Council to allow work to get under way.
A further $1 million was required to allow Sports House to be sited within the stadium, and this has been funded in part by contributions from both councils, and by a loan from Nelson City Council, which will be serviced by rental from the users of Sports House.
Dr Smith acknowledged the support received so far from the New Zealand Community Trust, the Canterbury Community Trust and the New Zealand Lotteries Board.
The project has a completion date of September 2009.
For more information contact Richard Kempthorne, Ph 543 8400.
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