Funds to put fields in play

Pahiatua sports ground Bush Multisport will be returned to a "playable condition" with funding approved to upgrade drainage.

The playing fields have virtually no drainage, causing two of their major fields to go out of action, particularly during the winter months.

The Tararua District Council approved funding of $50,000 to install drainage at the fields, which will help them become an all-year facility.

Community assets manager Colin Veale says the new drainage will ensure the fields can be fully utilised.

"The grounds, especially behind the stadium, have been unusable in winter and the training area behind the No2 rugby field too. Both areas have no drainage so the grounds just get too wet."

He says the changes will ideally be done by around Christmas time, but it does depend on the contractors and the ground conditions at the time.

"It's an area we haven't drained before but, once it's done, it'll be good to get more people using it."

Angela Leatherby, of the Bush Multisport Trust, says drainage has been a huge issue for the trust and its athletics club has had to relocate because of it.

"It impacts on everyone, not just the winter clubs. We have 12 different sports clubs affiliated here. Without the drainage, it basically halves the field space we have so it's difficult.

"It puts a lot of pressure on the useable fields, to the point where by the end of the season, they're getting to be unplayable too."

Ms Leatherby says once the issue is fixed and everyone has their fields to play on, it will make organising sports events so much easier.

"It's going to mean we can use all of our grounds. We're very grateful for the council's funding. We just can't operate if we don't have grounds."