The hub would have eight to 12 fields floodlit for night training — four training fields, six cricket ovals (wickets placed between winter fields), an artificial turf suitable for rugby or football training, and an athletics track.
Sport Gisborne Tairawhiti chief executive Stefan Pishief said that because Rugby Park “isn't huge”, the vast majority of the hub would have to be situated at the golf course.
“I think with any location there are always going to be trade-offs,” he said. “However, we are aware that this option has a big impact on the golf club and that can't be taken lightly, so further consideration and discussion with the club is critical.”
Gisborne Park president Tony Leggett said the club was notified on Tuesday about the plan.
“We're quite shellshocked . . . (but) it's only in the initial stages and we need to meet with the consultants and our members.
“Initially, we were quite devastated at losing part of our golf course if this proposal goes ahead.”
While Rugby Park/Gisborne Park is the preferred location, Waikirikiri Park and Nelson Park/Harry Barker Reserve are also considered “feasible”.
The report gave Rugby Park a “discarded” rating for the location of the indoor hub, but noted the potential to have indoor and outdoor facilities in the same area.
“In the case of Rugby Park/Gisborne Park, there is the possibility of co-locating both facilities in the same location.
“However, this is viewed as a secondary consideration . . . nice to have, rather than an essential,” says the report.
The economic case is independent of the $8 million in Government Covid recovery funding granted to Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union for a new stadium and redevelopment at Rugby Park.
In 2017, in a Gisborne Herald webpoll of 296 respondents, 67 percent opposed the proposal for a sports hub at Rugby Park.
Mr Pishief said since then, they had seen an increased desire from the sports community to come together, recognising the need “to get these facilities built”.
“These are very early draft plans that are subject to change . . . we've had quite a lot of feedback already.
“Critical to this work is that any facilities built are affordable and sustainable, and this work will seek significant government investment.
“Codes and clubs sharing hubs will also reduce the maintenance and operating costs of having multiple facilities.”
The indoor hub proposal is for three to five indoor courts, four to six squash courts, a gymsports space, a health and fitness centre with weights, exercise machine and studio spaces, a climbing wall and 12 outdoor courts.
There is no preferred location. Childers Road Reserve/Victoria Domain is considered a feasible location, as is the site of the former Wattie's factory, on the western side of Custhomhouse St. Here there would be indoor facilities only, with possible re-use of the existing industrial and warehouse buildings. Waikirikiri Park was another option.
The proposed water hub preferred location is at Anzac Park, while Marina Park and Waikanae Creek are seen as feasible.
An option gaining significant traction is to segment the hub along the river to combat issues of congestion rather than only have one hub for water sports.
The concepts have been years in the making to reach this stage but it is likely to be many more years before they eventuate.
In 2018, Gisborne District Council did not have plans for an outdoor sports facility and would not make an allowance for funding the indoor hub in its 2018-2028 Long Term Plan.
This followed a 2017 report assessing regional sporting infrastructure by the council, Sport Gisborne Tairawhiti and community representatives. The report was called the Community Facilities Strategy (CFS).
The CFS was intended to inform 30 years of proposed upgrades and maintenance for the region's sporting facilities.
The latest report acknowledges some temporary solutions will also be required.
One proposal is to create a temporary storage facility for waka ama at Marina Park by repurposing the Olympic Pool's roof to sit on containers and provide security from the elements and vandals.
