Published on 30 October 2024
Representatives from Waitaki District Council, Network Waitaki, the Waitaki Events Centre Trust, Apollo Projects, Oamaru Veterinary Centre and the Hurst Family met at Centennial Park on Tuesday to break ground for the future Network Waitaki Events Centre.
Ahead of the groundbreaking, Waitaki District Mayor Gary Kircher said: “This project has been in works for at least 18 years, and many thanks to the Trust and the Hurst family for all of their hard work so far. After today our next big event will be the opening, and the community getting to use the facility they asked us to build”
Network Waitaki Chief Executive Dylan Andrews said: “The board and Waitaki Power Trust are thrilled to be part of this commitment to the region. It’s definitely needed, and we look forward to celebrating this facility opening in 2026”
Apollo Projects Gerry Sullivan said: “We’re really privileged and proud to be part of this project. We enjoy building sports facilities, and we’ve built a few of them. They become a real focal point of the community, and it surprises us just how many different groups and clubs make use of the space created”
The Network Waitaki Events Centre is being built by Apollo Projects on a fixed-price contract, meaning Council’s contribution is set at the $15 million agreed by Council. While the project is being led by Apollo Projects, local contractors have and will be offered the opportunity to tender for different elements of the project.
Fundraising is still ongoing for the project, with the Buy A Tile scheme still open for those seeking to have their name on the new building and future opportunities to contribute being made public very soon.
ENDS