Sportsville Dargaville build to get under way in November

An artist's rendering of what the Sportsville Dargaville facility will look like. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Construction of the long-awaited Sportsville Dargaville multi-purpose sports facility at Memorial Park will commence in November with a target of finishing in mid-April of 2018.

The Kauri Coast Recreational Society (KCRS) let the building contract to Whangarei-based construction company Arco Group.

It is expected that between 1600 and 1800 people will use the complex each week. Sportsville Dargaville is part of Kaipara District Council's plan to provide sports hubs within 45 minutes of the majority of Kaipara residents.

KCRS chairman Chris Biddles thinks the initiative from the council is a good idea and could potentially lead to more sporting opportunities in Dargaville.

"It's a fantastic initiative and this facility means virtually all people within the KDC area will be reached," he said.

"At the moment we are just catering for the current need of the stakeholders but who knows. It can only improve our chances of getting bigger sporting events."

Mr Biddles said large increases in building costs, as well as a building industry that had been over-committed since the final piece of the funding puzzle was confirmed this time last year, had resulted in the alterations to the design and the delay to construction.

"It has certainly been a frustrating time while we have tried to fit the design into the available funding, but we are very happy to now be in a position to start the construction of the facility in the coming months."

The project includes provision of six courts for shared tennis and netball use, plus the building of a new supporting facility, incorporating four large changing rooms, public toilets, storage facilities for user groups, a canteen/coffee outlet and a multi-purpose room.

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

Although the building contract is now confirmed, a contractor for the construction of the netball and tennis courts is still to be found.

The project was made possible through grants from Foundation North, NZ Lotteries and Pub Charity after the initial funding was made through KDC and local stakeholders.

Local stakeholder contributions have from Dargaville Tennis, Memorial Park Trust, NW Netball, NW Soccer, Dargaville Rugby and Sports Club, NW Rugby, NW Junior Rugby, Bulls Rugby League and Dargaville 60s Up.

However, Mr Biddles said there was still a need to continue with local fundraising, as there were still smaller aspects of the project that remained unfunded.

"While it allows us to start construction in the coming months, we will be submitting a smaller funding application in the near future and we have a fundraising sub-committee that are planning more fundraising activities over the next few months".