TOP STORY : Expressway site for huge sports complex

CHRIS GARDNER
The 17ha site Hastings District Council has bought for a new sports complex.
Body1: Hastings will get a new sports facility- and that's regardless of what next year's legally binding public referendum says about the sale of Nelson Park.
The council ended months of speculation yesterday when CEO Murray Gilbertson signed a $1.03 million deal to buy a 17ha block, between Percival Road and the Hawke's Bay Expressway, from landowners David and Valerie Cornes.
The Corneses have also offered the council the option to buy two 6ha blocks adjacent to the land, with the offer expiring in 2011.
The proposed park will allow for the construction of the much talked-about cycling velodrome with room for netball, tennis, squash, bowls and sports such as rugby and league. A replacement swimming pool for the Frimley Aquatic Centre has also been suggested.
Meanwhile the fate of Nelson Park and its athletics track, which is being eyed by big retailers including The Warehouse, hangs in the balance with the council promising to hold a referendum before selling up and moving its facilities.
Nelson Park Action Group member David Renouf was surprised to hear of the deal.
"For the council to go and purchase land when we have already got Nelson Park, I find unacceptable," Mr Renouf said.
"They already have a park and they are buying land to replace it."
Gordon Vogtherr, who has also been campaigning against the sale of the park, said the park and the velodrome should stand alone from each other.
But Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule, who added his signature to the deal yesterday, said if the referendum said no to selling the park the council would build the velodrome and other facilities.
"The sale is not conditional on the sale of Nelson Park," he said.
Mr Gilbertson said the move to buy the land, which is easily accessible from the expressway, was sound planning. "Modern sport and recreation parks need to provide for future generations and that is a challenge for the council, sporting codes and the wider community to look ahead 30 to 50 years," he said.
"We have an opportunity to bring a wide range of sporting codes together and create a truly wonderful sports park with excellent facilities. It's exciting for the sporting fraternity and it's exciting for the region as a whole." Mr Cornes acquired the property three years ago as a long-term investment for the family.
"I sit comfortably with the council's aspirations and look forward to seeing the area evolve into something ... special for this district," he said.
"I'm not a keen seller in a way, but we believe it will be a great asset to the people of Hastings and in a perfect location right by the expressway."
The council will hold more talks with sport groups who want to learn more about this opportunity and to be part of the long-term planning for the park in the New Year.