Cricket pavilion named after family

David Mackersey viewed the new familiy pavillion with his daughter Annah Kight and granddaughter Scarlett. Photo / Supplied

The Mackersey family's substantial contribution to the revamped Havelock North Village Green has been recognised through the naming of the newly re-homed cricket pavilion.

The Hastings District Council announced this week that the pavilion will be named the "Mackersey Family Pavilion" following their contribution of $150,000 to the project.

Trustee David Mackersey said the contribution reflected the importance of the park to the community and the trust's desire to help make it "the best it can be" for the coming generations.

"It is at the heart of the Havelock North community and has been used for a vast range of activities by families since the 1880s," he said.

"We saw this as a once-in-a-generation chance to help make this a wonderful gathering place where children of all ages can play and the community can hold events like the Hawke's Bay Arts Festival and concerts in the summer."

On top of the generous contribution Lowmac Properties, a development company co-owned by the Mackersey and Lowe families, put in another $30,000.

"It's also about giving back to the community which has supported our company and my father's before that, through working with us as staff or clients," Mr Mackersey said.

As a fifth generation family member Mr Mackersey said while the history of the region is very important to the family, it is also important to look forward to the future.

The tiniest member of the family, 7-month-old Scarlett, looked very happy about the announcement as she was carried through the almost-complete park on Friday.

She will be the seventh generation to grow up playing in the park.

The trust's contribution would be ongoing, with Mr Mackersey saying there would be further donations that would help fund additions to the park.

Hastings mayor Lawrence Yule said the trust's funding was a "fundamental cornerstone" of the project.

"It gave us confidence that we could raise the funds for all the extras we wanted to put into the park. It is an incredibly generous donation and our community will feel the value of it for many years to come," he said.

The last of the playground equipment, safety matting and paving will be completed over the next couple of weeks and still to come are more shade sails, picnic tables and chairs and table tennis tables.