Render of Badminton and Multisport Community Centre in Mount Maunganui which will include two full sized indoor courts and eight badminton courts. Photo / TECT
A “major step” forward for indoor sport in the Bay of Plenty has been reached, with $5 million committed to a new multi-purpose community centre.
TECT Community Trust (TECT) confirmed the grant toward a badminton and multisport community centre in Mount Maunganui this month.
A further $5m was committed toward a Cancer Lodge to be built in central Tauranga.
The funding was part of TECT’s annual distribution plan announced April 1 and was the largest annual funding commitment in TECT’s history, distributing more than $39 million.
The multisport community centre is expected to provide a purpose-built, multi-use space for badminton and other indoor sports to “unlock the opportunity” for growth.
Bay of Plenty Badminton general manager of community and development Delwyn Cooper first pitched the facility to Tauranga City Council in 2008.
“For more than 15 years, I’ve been working toward the vision of a purpose-built badminton facility in Tauranga because I know what it can mean for our community.”
Cooper said there were limited courts for badminton to hire, and it was always competing with other sports for court time.
“Everyone wants the facilities at the same time,” she said.
“The other issue is that with the facilities that we do use, a combination of school gyms and council facilities, we often are kicked out when other events take place.”
Cooper said clubs were at capacity.
“We are constantly worried about being able to offer a great experience for the players we currently have – we don’t want to lose them due to not being able to play badminton as much as they want to.”
She said a new facility would give the consistency of court time for local clubs and the community.
The centre will have 16 badminton courts, or eight purpose-built badminton courts and two multi-sports courts, with timber-sprung flooring accredited by the International Basketball Federation and Badminton World Federation.
The whole site is 7500sq m, and is expected to have 53 car parks.
The multicourt venue will accommodate basketball, netball, futsal, pickleball, and volleyball, and be located on an elevated site at Tatua Reserve on Newton St.
“It’s not only going to meet the current needs, but it will unlock the opportunity to advance badminton to a whole new level within the Tauranga region,” Cooper said.
She said the association had resource and building consent and was “ready to go”, but needed more funding.
Bay of Plenty Badminton are seeking an additional $5 million in funding to progress the project, and discussions were underway with a potential contributor for a further $3 million.
Cooper said local clubs had played a significant role in advancing the project so far.
“They’ve helped fund all the feasibility in a big chunk of the business case; they’ve been saving, and put money towards resource consent and building consent.”
The facility will also support the Aims Games, where badminton participation grew from 325 players in 2024 to 361 in 2025.
Bay of Plenty Badminton chairman Graeme Neilson said the TECT funding decision was a “major step” forward for local indoor sport.
In a statement, Nielson said the community had been asking for more indoor court space for a long time.
“This funding brings a purpose-built, multi-use facility much closer to reality and will support badminton, other indoor sports, and community connection while easing pressure on existing venues across Tauranga.”
TECT Community Trust confirmed the funding following community feedback during consultation on the trust’s 2026/2027 funding plans.
Feedback highlighted a shortage of indoor court space, with sports relying on school halls and shared venues, leading to cancellations, limited training, and clubs turning people away due to capacity constraints.
Chairman Mark Arundel said the region was “growing quickly” and indoor facilities were under “real pressure”.
“Investing helps ensure communities have safe, accessible spaces to be active all year-round.”
Arundel said community feedback showed “strong support” for the overall direction of TECT’s plan.
“Particularly the need to address longstanding gaps in community facility infrastructure.”
He said demand was only going to increase as the population grew and more people looked for “flexible” indoor options for sport and recreation.
“It’s about creating and supporting spaces that people value and rely on.”
Under the confirmed plan, TECT will distribute $39,323,714 across the following funding areas:
Community Facilities: $5,898,557
Community Events: $1,966,186
Community Development: $7,864,743
Facilities of Regional Significance: $17,695,671
Catalyst for Change: $5,898,557
Kaitlyn Morrell is a journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has lived in the region for several years and studied journalism at Massey University.