The games torch burns brightly in the village main tent at Springvale Park in 2015 - a popular venue with competitors. Photo / Stuart Munro
The games torch burns brightly in the village main tent at Springvale Park in 2015 - a popular venue with competitors. Photo / Stuart Munro
Next year's New Zealand Masters Games will again be centred around the War Memorial Centre which will double as the games village.
The venue was one of several contentious issues arising from the 2017 games. Many participants voiced a preference for the village being sited at Springvale Park where the games tent became a big drawcard at previous games.
Tasha Parker, event manager for next year's event, said more details would follow at a special event in Whanganui next month.
Parker said she approached participants from the Masters Games held in Whanganui in 2017 for their ideas and said that feedback had been taken into account putting together the programme for 2019.
The July 6 function falls 30 weeks out from the games and organisers promise they will also be showcasing new concepts and ideas for the event.
Games "ambassadors" will be revealed for the games, celebrating their 30th anniversary from February 1 -10 next year.
Parker said they wanted the launch to give everyone a taste of what to expect next February and the event would be rounded off with some of the musical entertainment being lined up for the games.
Tasha Parker, hired to the Whanganui District Council to head Whanganui Venues and Events. Photo / Stuart Munro
"We are expecting to have a great night and generate a lot of excitement for next year. Hopefully it builds some momentum and keeps it in people's minds as something to look forward to in the New Year," she said.
"We know one of the hot topics from 2017 was the Games Village, and we'll have the artist's impression for 2019 for all to see, including details of the entertainment line-up featuring several Whanganui acts."
The Game's organisation was taken over by the Whanganui District Council after the 2017 games ended unable to pay creditors. Then organiser, Whanganui Events Trust, was disbanded and council picked up a $50,000 bill from unpaid creditors.
Danny Jonas, Sport Whanganui chief executive, said the Whanganui sporting community played an important role in the NZ Masters Games and more than 45 individual sporting codes have been engaged for their input.
War Memorial Centre ... confirmed as the Masters Games village venue again in 2019. Photo / Bevan Conley
"There's a really positive buzz among the codes to be part of next year's 30th anniversary of the games. Without our sporting codes, quite frankly there wouldn't be any games," Jonas said.
He said they had listened to considerable feedback about the bar, food, entertainment and issues about access during the 2017 games and were confident the 2019 village will bring back the festival atmosphere to the games.
"With Waitangi Day events taking place around the corner in Pakaitore, the central business district will be alive with entertainment during February next year," he said.
The launch will be held at the Cooks Gardens Event Centre and numbers will be limited. To register interest in attending the launch contact Merle Benson at merle@nzmg.com or phone 349 3106.
The launch will also livestreamed on the NZ Masters Games Facebook page.
