Masters Games village shapes up with exciting new look

Plans have been revealed on how the new-look Games Village for February's New Zealand Masters Games will be set up.

The village is being moved from its usual home at Springvale Park to the city centre and the Whanganui War Memorial Centre.

Whanganui architect Sophie Ross has produced these visuals (right) of the outside food and recreation area on the Memorial Centre forecourt.

The forecourt will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and a stage will be set up for musical entertainment.

The downstairs of the centre will be for registrations and merchandising, while the concert chamber is to be used for briefings, movies and seminars, and the Pioneer Room will serve as a lounge and relaxation area.

The main hall at the centre will feature sports such as fencing, indoor rowing, rock 'n' roll dancing and dance-sports, boasting what is said to be the largest spring-form dance floor in the Southern Hemisphere.

Kathy Cunningham, chief executive of the Whanganui Events Trust which is staging the Games from February 3-12, said a survey of participants after the 2015 Masters Games had shown a desire for a change of venue for the athletes village. She said using the War Memorial Centre would mean less impact from the weather.

An open day will be held at the forecourt on February 2 with the official Games opening the following day, starting at Cooks Gardens with a parade to the centre.

Registrations are now open for competitors at an early-bird price of $45 which will go up to the standard $60 from November 1.

The NZ Masters Games will feature more than 50 sports.