Everyone will be welcome at Kaikohe's Lindvart Park on Wednesday next week (May 7), for the naming ceremony (Kaikohe Top Energy Hockey Turf) and the formal flicking of the switch to turn on the newly-installed lights.
Top Energy's chief executive Russell Shaw will hit the switch, accompanied by Far Northdistrict councillor Sally Macauley, just after 6pm, to begin the official part of the evening.
Collegiate hockey games will be played before that (starting at 4.30pm), when the barbecue will also be fired up. Drinks and iceblocks will be available for purchase at the canteen.
In recognition of Top Energy's contribution to the project, the Bay of Islands Hockey Association will then stage a naming ceremony, with the honour of unveiling the Top Energy signs going to Mayor John Carter, Laurie Byers, Bill Shepherd (immediate past president of NZ Hockey and chairman of Northland Hockey), and John Schollum, chairman of Lindvart Park and the Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board.
Once the lights have been switched on members of the major contributing parties to the lighting project - Top Energy, the district council, Laser Electrical, Site Worx Northland Ltd, Cory's Electrical, Te Aratika Drilling and Mahalo Transport - will be invited on to the turf to play a game of hockey, umpired by international umpire Bill Fenton (who expects to hand out a few yellow cards but is reportedly confident of maintaining a clean game).
Bay of Islands Hockey Association is keen for everyone to have fun and give the game a go.
Hockey sticks will be available, and games will be run until "late" as there will be no shortage of light. All anyone will need is a pair of running shoes.
