Calling all design-savvy locals

LANDSCAPE POTENTIAL: Brent Linn and Mell Anderson are running a design competition for the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds' new and improved frontage. PHOTO/WARREN BUCKLAND.

With the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds a much-loved part of regional life it's only fair that locals from all walks of life are able to participate in a competition to design the frontage landscape along Karamu Rd.

The establishment of a new fence along Karamu Rd, part of redevelopment work in the area, has deliberately been set back further than the fence it replaced in order to make space for a planting strip in the high-traffic area.

Hawke's Bay Showgrounds general manager Brent Linn said a landscape design competition for the frontage has been launched to promote community engagement with the project, with entries open to both commercial designers and the general public.

"The showgrounds have been a part of this area for over 100 years. A lot of people have quite an attachment to the grounds, whether it be events or just driving past the green patch of land on their way into Hastings," he said.

Along with the frontage design Mr Linn said the design competition will also incorporate the gateway entrance along Karamu Rd, which from now on will be established as the main point of entry for the showgrounds.

Those wishing to enter the competition are required to submit both a concept plan and a planting plan by March 20, 2017. Entrants are free to decide which media form best supports their ideas whether it be digital, paper-based or three-dimensional modelling.

Mr Linn said there is "quite an open brief" in regards to what the competition is looking for.

"We want to see the community maintain its historical association with the showgrounds which many see as a long-term feature of the landscape and have an emotional sense of ownership," Mr Linn said.

Located on the edge of Hastings the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds is home to many of the region's biggest events such as the Hawke's Bay Show, Horse of the Year and the Hawke's Bay Farmers Market.

The Showgrounds is currently undergoing a major redevelopment as part of a master plan to enable the area to better support the events it currently hosts and enhance the venue's ability to attract new events to the region.

Competition entries will be judged by a professional panel and displayed at Bostock New Zealand Edible Garden Show, curated by exhibition manager Mell Anderson, being held at the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds in March this year.

The winning entry will receive a cash prize of $1000, media awareness as part of the publicity surrounding the Showgrounds development, a complimentary trade site at the Bostock New Zealand Edible Garden Show and advertising opportunities associated with the planting.

Those wishing to find out more information can visit www.showgroundshb.co.nz.