Community input invited for Kaitaia sports hub

An artist's impression of the completed Kaitaia Sports Hub facility which is in the early developmental stages on South Rd.

Sports clubs, recreation groups and schools within the greater Kaitaia area are being invited to provide input on what the major sports hub project represents to the specialised interests via an online survey.

The survey was announced following on-going discussion in the Kaitaia community regarding the development of the facility, after Sport Northland and the Far North District Council announced that before any final commitment is made to such a development there needed to be wider research.

The two organisations are partnering to develop the Kaitaia Sport Infrastructure Plan (KSIP) with the shared intention being to help the Kaitaia community to develop a shared vision for a more sustainable sport and recreation infrastructure network in the town and nearby areas.

The study will evaluate the nature of current provision, identify unmet needs and recommend to council what facilities are needed to meet current and foreseeable future demand.

A joint Project Working Group has also been formed to provide local input based on collective knowledge and expertise to ensure the best possible outcome for the Kaitaia community. Local members are Lesley Wallace (Sport Northland community connector), Colin Kitchen (FNDC councillor), and Mark Osborne (Te Ahu manager).

The study is being undertaken by the Global Leisure Group, specialist sport and recreation planning consultants. GLG works nationwide and has good background knowledge having previously completed similar studies for FNDC, including the wider recreation Plan for the Te Hiku Community Board.

GLG will be seeking information from local clubs, and groups on membership trends and current facilities, and their views on issues relating to the provision of facilities now and in the future.

Global Leisure Group consultant Anna Coleman said she was looking forward to receiving the response from the wider community before 9am next Monday, March 5, and thanked everyone in anticipation for their input to this important process for the Kaitaia community.

For more information contact any of the local members of the Project Working Group:
Lesley Wallace lesleyw@sportnorth.co.nz, (0274) 749-492; Colin Kitchen, kitchenc@xtra.co.nz, (0274) 762-079; Mark Osborne, mark@teahu.org.nz, (0274) 942-223; Dave Allan, Global Leisure Group Ltd director, Davea@glg.nz.

HAVE A SAY.

Kaitaia sports clubs, recreation groups and schools are invited to provide input via an online survey, for schools: www.surveymonkey.com/r/Kaitaia-SchoolSurvey; and for clubs/groups: www.surveymonkey.com/r/Kaitaia-Clubs