Sports clubs are joining forces to build a sports centre for Katikati

Katikati sports clubs without a base could have a home with a $3 million sports and recreation facility planned for the town.

Representatives from Moana United Netball, cricket, football, wrestling, Katikati Sea Scouts, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Goju Ryu Karate clubs are banding together to form an incorporated society for the purpose of designing and building a new centre.

Ben Warren, a member of the Katikati Sport and Recreation Centre planning group, says "Katikati is growing" and the community will benefit from the proposed facility.

It will cater to Katikati's clubs and groups without clubrooms, or with run-down facilities unable to cope with expanding need.

"Our community, particularly our youngsters, desperately need more space to play, develop and support their sporting potential."

The centre will be on Western Bay of Plenty District Council Reserve land next to the Moore Park football fields. Some old greenhouses have been removed, and the site is being prepared for conversion to sports fields and other outdoor areas.

Warren says the new centre may take up to five years to complete before it can open its doors to the 1000-plus combined club members.

"The council has been fundamental in making this project a reality for the future benefit of all, however, the new centre is being entirely self-funded, without calling on any ratepayer assistance."

This involves the combined resources of the clubs, with support from local, regional and national funding bodies and other organisations, such as the Lions, with sponsorship and fundraising.

The Katikati Sport and Recreation Centre will benefit from proceeds from the 2019 Katikati Avocado Food and Wine Festival on January 12. The centre's members will help at the festival and sell raffle tickets, which go on sale in September. A quiz night has also been planned for Friday, November 2.

It is hoped the planned centre and its clubrooms will also allow Katikati to better host visiting teams at senior and junior representative levels, and cater for the future requirements of the member clubs and organisations. However, the centre is also being designed so other groups can use it, such as dance/music clubs, badminton, indoor cricket/netball, futsal and other indoor groups.

Anyone wanting to support the centre can contact the centre team at kksrcsec@gmail.com.