Super sports centre step closer

Bay Venues Ltd chief executive Gary Dawson says the high performance sports centre will be completed by the end of the year if it is given the final green light in July. Photo / Andrew Warner

A high-performance sports centre in Mount Maunganui is one step closer with Bay Venues finding $2.5 million for the project.

Construction will start on transforming the old Cosmopolitan Club into an elite sports centre in late July - if the Bay Venues board approves final designs and costings, says chief executive Gary Dawson.

The centre will cater for high-performance athletes in sports such as rugby, rugby sevens, cricket and hockey, as well as sports organisations, sports science research, and medical services. Bay of Plenty Rugby could establish offices in the building, with physiotherapists and rehabilitation specialists.

Bay Venues will source $750,000 from ASB bank and the rest of the money will come from other sources.

Mr Dawson would not say what those sources were. "We're confident the funding is there but we've got a number of options we're working through."

The organisation hoped its board would approve the project on July 6. The centre should be built by the year's end.

"We are excited to be taking the next step in bringing this world-class venue to the people of Tauranga. It will be an asset for the city that will be recognised nationally and internationally as a great place for skill development and sporting career growth," he said.

Tauranga City Council agreed in February to pay about $1 million to upgrade the building through weather tightening and earthquake strengthening.

The council's contribution was agreed on the basis Bay Venues found the rest of the money for the internal building fit-out and equipment.

Mayor Stuart Crosby said it was good to see Bay Venues "come to the party" in such a short timeframe. Waikato University was interested and the sports sector supported it, he said.

"Establishing this centre is a strategic move to invest in the future of the city and build community pride. It will also help to grow Tauranga's reputation by developing a venue that can cater to, and host, international sports stars and events in the Bay," he said.

The key was to have enough funding for not only the rebuild but the ongoing operational costs. "We're confident we'll have more than sufficient resource," he said.

Bay Venues Limited
•A limited-liability council-owned organisation set-up on July 1, 2013, to independently manage facilities on behalf of the council.
•Manages 22 venues across Tauranga, Mount Maunganui and Papamoa.
•Venues include ASB Baypark and Arena, aquatic venues, indoor sports venues and community halls and centres.

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