Huge upgrade for Westbrook sports grounds

Rotorua's Westbrook sports grounds are due for an almost $700,000 upgrade that could allow the city to bring more regional sporting competitions into town.
The Westbrook Sportsfields Masterplan was unveiled at a recent meeting of the Rotorua District Council's community, parks and recreation committee.
The council's landscape architect, Joby Barham, said the aim of the project was to improve facilities for current users  and provide for new uses and future growth.
Mr Barham said the draft masterplan  would create a major centre for a variety of sporting codes  and open the possibility of holding regional events in Rotorua.
"There are significant issues with the current facilities at the sports fields that need to be addressed."
He said various sporting codes had told the council that development of the area could lead to more regional competitions coming to Rotorua.  The codes had wanted to come in the past, but because of inadequate facilities had pulled out.
The plan would also see the development of a through road from Thebes St to Devon St and better use made of the old cycling velodrome next to the Westbrook Netball Courts.
Therewas also provision for a walking track along the Utuhina Stream.
Funding of $677,000 had already been set aside by the council in its 10-year-plan, and enhancements to the Westbrook fields include additional artificial cricket pitches and sports fields, tree plantings,  car-parking   and commuter-cycling connections.
Mr Barham said on the "wish list" for further development were two sports fields with lighting, an event headquarters and additional toilet facilities.
 The draft masterplan had been developed in consultation with representatives of various  groups that use the fields.
Rotorua United director of football Ray Wells said he had been working for almost 10 years to get  facilities for football.
He said football was the most-played sport for people under 16 in New Zealand and  it "would be an absolute dream to have those facilities.

"We have been working with Sport Bay of Plenty to get permanent facilities for football in Rotorua and have been putting pressure on council to do this.
"We've been sharing lit sports fields with the rugby league boys at Puketawhero Park."
Mr Wells said there had been a pressing need for flood-lit sports fields for training purposes.
"It would be fantastic if this went ahead," he said.
However, some councillors thought the masterplan did not go far enough and wanted it to include Smallbone Park - opposite the Westbrook fields.
Councillor Bob Martin said one of his main concerns was parking and the congestion on Devon St during sports matches.
"People parking on the grass verge cause a bottle-neck, and it's dangerous for children."
Councillor Karen Hunt agreed with Mr Martin, saying a walking bridge over Devon St could also be included in future plans.
Rotorua mayor Kevin Winters suggested all aspects of the masterplan be costed and brought back to a future meeting of the committee.
The council's community services director, Charles Roberts, said he would consider   Smallbone Park in the  plan.