Floor a special feature of Baypark TECT Arena

The fine art of floor laying is transforming Tauranga's TECT Arena at Baypark from what was once a concept drawing into an exciting reality.
For Tauranga City Council city engineer Howard Severinsen, the arena is his "baby".
"We have been worrying over it for five years, so it's quite neat to stand on the floor," Mr Severinsen said.
Builders have been laying the individual wooden batons that will form the 2500sq m springboard floor in the arena's main sporting court. Another 4700sq m is yet to be covered in the court complex next door, Hardwood Technology project supervisor Jason Smith said.
"There are only a few stadiums in New Zealand that would have something of this level in them, and this is slightly different because it can host events."
The polished hardwood floor will be covered in removable carpet for the many corporate events expected.
This will help protect the coveted Junckers from potential damage by heels.
The floor is at the heart of the event centre's construction and cost $1 million of the $41 million of the building's construction.
Project manager Eric Schluter, from Rdt Pacific, said the floor was a major feature of the arena.
"There was a lot of debate about what type of floor we wanted, how we protect it ... That went on for about three to four years."
Individual European beech batons are placed on top of support batons, and have a rubber footing attached to them spaced 400mm apart. The rubber feet help absorb the stress and weight expected from sporting matches and other events.
By the numbers
Total project cost, $41 million.
$25 million capped ratepayer contribution. A small portion of everyone's rates (about $21 per year, decreasing over time) will contribute to this for about 25 years.
$7 million sub-regional development contributions.
$9 million external sources: Perry Foundation (now Lion Foundation) grant of $750,000, Lotteries Grants Board grant of $300,000, TECT (Tauranga Energy Consumer Trust) grant of up to $8 million.
TECT Arena at Baypark
A three-court area has full air conditioning, two large screens, stage facilities, technical infrastructure and specially-designed acoustic lining to allow for concerts, functions and major sporting events, with audience capacity ranging from 3000 to 5000.
Another six-court area will be used for general community sporting use, and indoor exhibitions (about six a year).
At the peak of construction, Hawkins was managing about 100 workers on site.
Baypark has a total of 13,000 sq m of indoor sports and events capacity.