Plan for new rugby base taking shape

Whangarei District Council member Phil Halse said the cost of the Pohe Island build was on Northland Rugby Union. Photo / Thinkstock

A 2500sq m rugby hub could be the next feature to spring up within Whangarei's Hatea Loop, with plans for the Northland Rugby Union and Old Boys Marist Rugby Club to set up a base at Pohe Island.

The Whangarei District Council has approved resource consent for the 6.7-metre-high building bracketed by five football fields. The shed will also house the Northern Referees' Association.

The only question remaining is, "Who pays?" Northland Rugby Union chief executive Jeremy Parkinson said between $3.5million and $4.5million was required to build the facility. Despite having almost 1800 players, the union did not have a base, he said.

"It'll be great. We're without a home and it will put us on par with other organisations," he said, adding the Pohe Island plan had been in the works since 2013. There were plans to collaborate with the Mad Hatters Football Club and Northland Cricket Association as well as Whangarei Youth Space on the use of the building.

Old Boys Marist Rugby Club is being forced out of its current home at the hill behind Okara Park, which the Whangarei District Council is considering selling under a plan change that would allow more bulk-format retail in the area. The council has allocated $450,000 to help shift the club.

The council has received an offer, believed to be $10.5million, to sell the Old Boys Rugby Clubrooms and grounds at Okara, but a group of Whangarei businessmen is legally challenging a decision to rezone the land to allow more bulk retail outlets.

Whangarei District Council member Phil Halse said the cost of the Pohe Island build was on Northland Rugby Union, though it could be entitled to apply for council funding, as were many community groups. Rugby brought many people to the district and the new facility was in keeping with council's Sport Strategy.

The plans include space for clubrooms, a gymnasium, changing rooms, a cafe and office space.

The 54-hectare Pohe Island already contains a skate park, BMX track, soccer clubrooms, a rowing club and dog park.