Network Waitaki Events Centre Update
Published on 14 March 2023
More than just a Sports Stadium, Network Waitaki Event Centre aims to provide the entire community with a place to come together, providing facilities for club meetings, performances, conferences, sports, and activities for all ages.
An expression of interest for the development of the Network Waitaki Events Centre was released in 2022 and the Project Board has shortlisted Apollo Projects, Calder Stewart, and Cook Brothers to present proposals for consideration. The board will provide a list of specifications and a budget for the selected companies to consider when working on their designs. This next step will occur over the next 4 months.
Project Manager for Major Projects, Erik van der Spek said, “This will be a design / build process where these companies can present their expertise to show us how they can best deliver our needs. We will also have the ability to choose elements of designs we like best from all three, meaning we will have the best possible outcome for the community.”
The shortlisted companies will need to present the project board with options around a 6-court facility, storage, communal meeting and office space, and associated toilets, shower and changing rooms.
The brief will include asking for 2 flooring options: 4 timber sprung and 2 synthetic flooring or 6 timber sprung. They also need to show us how we can incorporate a refurbished or replaced grandstand, either now or the future.
As a result of the 2022 local elections, we have two new Council members on the board. The Project board now consists of Deputy Mayor Hana Halalele, Cr Rebecca Ryan, Kevin Malcolm (Network Waitaki Events Centre Trust), Doug Hurst (Network Waitaki Events Centre Trust), David Higgins (Te Rūnanga o Ngai Tahu), Peter Robinson (Independent) and Geoff Douch (Network Waitaki). Geoff Douch was also elected as Project Board chair in February 2023.
Fundraising is continuing with $22 Million between Council and community currently raised toward this project with a target of $31 Million for the total project.
We are seeking further funding of $7 to $10m from philanthropic trusts and Council will consider increasing the contribution its ratepayers will make to the project via the annual plan, but other funders are still being sought.
We expect to receive proposals for consideration in May 2023 and anticipate hearing back from Otago Community Trust and Lotteries in August 2023. Construction timeframes are subject to confirmation with the preferred contractor.
If you wish to make a donation or discuss any funding, please contact Adair Craik 021 309 9439
For any general queries, please contact Erik van der Spek 03 433 0300
ENDS