The cost of the grandstand is well above what was first anticipated.
''It has turned out to be a project in excess of $700,000 - a significantly greater cost than we initially anticipated,'' says Rick.
''We can put that down to a whole range of issues in terms of what was required in the building consent process and other adaptations that have been identified along the way.
''But it's a very big project. I don't think it's an exaggeration to say it's Te Puke's second biggest community driven project after the building of the War Memorial Hall.''
When $100,000 was secured towards the end of 2018 - $60,000 from Te Puke Community Board topped up with $40,000 from Western Bay of Plenty District Council - Rick said it was ''the making of the project''.
''One of the very good aspects of the whole project is they way in which it has turned out to be a community effort and there's got to be acknowledgement that the Te Puke Community Board and Western Bay of Plenty District Council have been just outstanding supporters of the project.''
Rick also singled out three of the Western Bay District councillors who were sitting at the time the project was first suggested - Kevin Marsh, John Scrimgeour and Grant Dally.
''They have been a power of strength to us."
But there has also been support from many other sources, with the club itself raising $60,000.
''Where we've had more success is with the large funders - TECT, the Lotteries Board and New Zealand Community Trust - they have really supported us extremely strongly,'' says Rick.
The commercial sector has also put its weight behind the project.
''What has been particularly gratifyingly is that we actually sought financial support from a number of businesses that do business in our local area - the likes of Seeka, Rabobank, PukePine, Growsafe Chemicals and First Mortgage Trust have all come to the party with substantial contributions. In terms of coming alongside the project in a practical sense, we've had Arnold and Johnson and Stratum Consultants both involved in project development.
''We've been lucky to have that kind of support. That has been absolutely outstanding and all the participants have seen that Te Puke Sports is developing what will be a community facility and we have a long history of providing the public with access to facilities, grounds, etc, and it's never been a charge against community organisations.
''We've had outstanding community support - schools have come in behind us as have the fire brigade and MPs. We've had virtually unilateral support.''
The town hasn't had a facility with a covered stand for many years.
''In Te Puke we had our own grandstand at Jamieson Oval that was demolished and never replaced and now, in the triangle between Te Maunga, Whakatāne and Rotorua, there is no-where with a covered grandstand for major events. So there's some pretty strong drivers as to why Te Puke wants this facility.''
With over $600,000 in the bank, Rick says it was time to start the project, and he is confident the balance will be found.
Rick anticipates the grandstand will be in place by the end of October.
''Then in November there will be an official opening organised where we will bring all funders and supporters in to a function at the club and the guest speaker will be former All Black captain Ian Kirkpatrick.''
In February, Rick hopes the club can host a game featuring either the Chiefs of Bay of Plenty Steamers to celebrate the new stand.
