Rangitikei proposes $435k sports site

LOOKING FORWARD: Rangitikei College head boy Grayson Belk, principal Tony Booker and head girl Elle Welsh survey the site of the proposed sports park.PHOTO/ BEVAN CONLEY

Rangitikei College has unveiled plans for a new $435,000 sports facility on its Marton property but it needs council support.

The multi-sport park will include four tennis courts, four netball courts, a basketball court, a new football field and a half hockey turf, which will be open to the public.

Though a separate project, it will complement Nga Tawa's plans to build an international-standard, full-size hockey turf.

The two schools have formed a consortium to help get the two projects off the ground and so not to duplicate resources.

Rangitikei College Board chair Greg Carlyon said the project was ready to go as soon as it was fully funded.

The school has an undisclosed amount of money in reserve while the Rangitikei District Council has indicated it could provide up to $200,000 towards the facility as it would be available to the community.

Council had $100,000 available from the insurance payout from the Centennial Park turf which was destroyed last June, while it could make up to $100,000 more available.

Public consultation on the ratepayer contribution is under way as part of council's annual plan.

Council could also put up to $100,000 towards Nga Tawa's hockey turf which would be available to the district's teams.

Mr Carlyon urged people to make a submission to the council as the projects had the support of primary schools, Rangitikei Hockey Association and Sport Whanganui.

"We're excited that our community is now starting to get excited by our proposal to create this resource for our kids."

Rangitikei College head boy Grayson Belk said the school's sports teams travelled a lot to the major centres for games and the proposed facility would reduce that.

"It would also bring other schools in here and show them what we have to offer."

Principal Tony Booker said the school was genuine in wanting it to be a community facility.

"I've been with the school just under two terms now, and it's great to see this park come to life, as it will make a huge difference to our students."

Meanwhile, Mr Carlyon said the park could be open by spring. "All the planning has been done. It's designed, priced up and the diggers are waiting for us to press the go button."