Northland's $18.5 million regional events centre is on track and on budget, with stage one of the ratepayer and taxpayer-funded project complete.
The centre, which is being constructed at Whangarei's Okara Park, has passed another milestone, a new pitch, refurbished 3000-plus seat north stand and embankments are now complete.
The centre is
being funded by $13 million from the Northland Regional Council and $3 million from Whangarei District Council. Another $2.5 million has come from central government for enhancements linked to the Rugby World Cup in 2011.
Northland will host two Rugby World Cup games at Okara Park - featuring Tonga playing qualifiers on September 14 and 21, 2011. The region has also bid to host two of the World Cup teams.
NRC chairman Mark Farnsworth was delighted the first stage had been completed and said it was an example of what could be achieved when local bodies
co-operated on a project.
"It's about putting Northland first," Mr Farnsworth said.
NRC chief executive Ken Paterson said the public would get the chance to use the new facilities next Friday when Northland took on Otago in an Air New Zealand Cup game.
Mr Paterson said other work on the events centre, which includes a four-level building housing a new 2500-seat south stand, convention centre and office space, began several months ago and should be finished by late May next year.
"Work is progressing extremely well and the contractors are about to begin work on its final level. The project remains on time and on budget," he said.
"That extra [$2.5 million of government] funding has enabled a raft of improvements to the facility - at no additional cost to ratepayers - which will continue to benefit Northlanders from all walks of life for many years to come. These include additional floor space on level one, extra sealed areas, upgraded kitchens, extra toilet facilities, a second goods lift, additional extra seating in both the north and south stands, upgraded floodlighting and enhanced public
address and security features."
The public can check progress on the centre via a photo archive on the NRC's website www.nrc.govt.nz/eventscentre
The NRC and WDC have been working with the Northland District Health Board and the Cancer Society Northland and have jointly agreed the entire Northland Events Centre complex, including its grounds, will be smokefree.
