Dargaville sport complex closer to completion

VISION: Kauri Coast Recreational Society Chairman Chris Biddles.

A proposed sports development at Dargaville dubbed "Sportsville" has moved a step closer with a project manager appointed to oversee the early planning requirements and seek further funding.

The feasibility study to develop Memorial Park was completed in September and Griffiths and Associates will now try and get the first stage underway as soon as possible.

Stage One includes provision of six asphalt surfaced courts for shared tennis and netball use, plus the building of a 580 square metre new facility, incorporating six changing rooms, a 24/7 unisex public toilet, a canteen/coffee outlet and a tournament control office.

A covered muster area is also to be included to provide shelter for players from rain and sun.

The project manager " funded from a grant from Pub Charity " will need to submit major funding applications early next year, as well as develop a concept plan and quantity surveyor costing for the proposed facility.

Other work includes a topographical survey of the site and geotechnical studies of the ground to determine suitability of the site for construction of the proposed facility and courts.

Kauri Coast Recreational Society Chairman Chris Biddles says that the funding grant was very timely.

"Major funding application deadlines to both the ASB Community Trust and the NZ Lotteries Grants Board are looming early in the New Year, so the appointment of Griffiths and Associates to undertake this work was a must, and as such we are grateful to Pub Charity for approving the funding," he said.

Mr Biddles said there is huge benefit in the different sports in Dargaville co-locating.

"This facility will provide benefit to all sporting codes currently and potentially using the park, and there is also ample room for the development of permanent petanque courts and for the future development of a small hockey turf."

He said there was a lot of work to do yet, but that if the community continued to pull together, the potential was there to deliver a much needed facility for the area, which could utilise substantial non-ratepayer money to build, and then be operationally sustainable.