Sports trust bid to keep council on board

The sports trust pushing for an indoor recreation centre in Hamilton has made a final attempt to get the project back on the council's tight budget by suggesting building it in two stages.

Hamilton Community Indoor Recreation Centre Trust chairman Mark Flowers put forward a compelling new proposal to the city council yesterday which would see the council drip-feeding $12 million of its contribution for the $21 million project by building it on Wintec's Avalon Drive campus.

The first stage of the indoor recreation centre, estimated to cost $8 million including land, would have three courts, changing rooms, an administrative block and some spectator seating.

Wintec has indicated it is likely to approve spending $2 million in cash on top of the $2 million of land already committed to the project to get the first stage of the scaled-back recreation centre underway provided the council matches its cash injection. The trust would raise the remaining $2 million through sponsorship and grants.

During yesterday's draft long-term plan hearings, Mr Flowers suggested council's contribution could be funded through the sale of the YMCA in Pembroke St, but today supporters of that facility will argue against it.

The estimated yearly operational cost for the scaled-back centre would be between $30,000 and $50,000.

"What I'm trying to do as the chair of the trust is to get everyone to the finish line," Mr Flowers said.

"We are at a turning point for this project where if the city doesn't support it I don't think the project will succeed."

The first stage would be stand-alone and the second stage - which would see a further six courts added to the facility for a further $12 to $13 million would be discretionary.

However, Mr Flowers had no doubt the huge demand for the courts would justify the second phase and under his plan the council would be required to shell out $10 million. The final $3 million would be raised through grants and sponsorship.

Last year the council removed the $12 million earmarked for the city's long-desired recreation centre from the budget as it grappled with the city's burgeoning debt. But yesterday the trust and Sport Waikato chief executive Matthew Cooper urged councillors to reconsider.

The community indoor recreation centre has been in the pipeline for more than a decade but was bumped for the $68 million-plus Claudelands Event Centre, which is not suitable for community sport.

Mr Cooper said there was a big gap in the city when it came to a community recreation centre and the project should be made a priority.

Hamilton is the only major city without a multi-court community recreation facility.

Meanwhile, Waikato Volleyball Association urged the council to commit itself to further upgrading the Te Rapa Sportsdrome by installing a sprung hardwood floor at an estimated cost of $250,000, and football wanted better irrigation systems so games could be played on the city's sports grounds all year round.

THE PLAN
Phase one - ($8m including land valued at $2m):
* Three-court facility with high quality sports floor.
* Changing rooms.
* Storage administration space.
* Seating for spectators.
* Phase two - ($12m to $13m):
* Add six more courts.