Plans reveal Netball Wairarapa complex

An architect's drawing of the proposed new clubrooms. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

PLANS have been unveiled for the new-look Colombo Rd netball courts in Masterton.

Bring It To Colombo Trust chairman Luther Tola, who was absent due to a bereavement, told attendees in a prepared statement at a function held before Monday night's annual general meeting of Netball Wairarapa that it was hoped work on the proposed $2.2 million facility would begin after this year's netball season.

This work will include resurfacing and repositioning 12 courts, six artificial and six asphalt, with three of them being covered. It will also involve new clubrooms with disability access, a full commercial kitchen, player shelters for the uncovered courts, a large viewing deck, a medical room with outside ambulance access and upgraded toilet and shower amenities.

"The first 15 months of the project were spent trying to understand the needs of the netball community. From the initial feedback a picture developed for an indoor facility that will serve not only the netball community, but also the wider sporting community," Toloa wrote, adding that the turning point came when the Masterton District Council acknowledged the facility required substantial attention and allocated $650,000 in funds.

Subsequently the netball community had raised $10,000 towards the project through fundraising activities such as the Bring It To Colombo event last year while Trust House had also initially granted $200,000 to get the project off the ground.

"There has also been significant investment by local businesses including Dave Borman donating his time free of charge to project manage construction, Tumu ITM Masterton successfully negotiating supplier discounts to assist, Juken Nissho providing the framing timber for free and Capital Precut solutions donating the labour to make the frames."

Toloa said since November last year the Bring It To Colombo team, including Silverwood architects and Netball Wairarapa, had been working together to refine the project.They had come a long way from the $18.5 million to $21.4 million proposal contained in the initial feasibility study.

While there are still hopes of starting the work this year, Toloa said the reality was that unless a very generous donor comes forward soon the starting date would be dictated by ongoing fundraising and external funding sources.

"This essential community asset has served us well for the past 33 years but the time is now to invest in the future and finally realise its potential for the Wairarapa sporting community and our young people."

Toloa said The Bring It To Colombo Trust had been established to own and drive the project.

"In the meantime we will continue to fundraise and provide opportunities for businesses, families and individuals to contribute to this exciting project."