Yarrow will be more than a rugby stadium

 

Will Johnston

 New plans for Yarrow Stadium emphasised regional and community events as well as top-level sports.

Stadium operators revealed that the demolition of the East Stand is part of the new plans.   

In a significant step forward given that the two stands were deemed earthquake-prone in November 2017 and June 2018, the new-look venue is looking to the future.

Taranaki Regional Council (TRC) chairman David MacLeod (pictured) said repairing the existing stand would involve too many uncertainties from a cost and outcome perspective.

“There’s been a significant amount of work done on the East Stand to see whether we can’t refurbish or repair what’s currently there. It’s proven that has been very challenging on several fronts.”

He said the demolition of the stand and starting from scratch would provide greater opportunities in terms of the useability of the venue.

“We’re going for a venue that’s fit for a wider range of users and scale of uses.

“We’re consulting with all the various stakeholders with the design of that. The facility is not just to accommodate sport but community events,” he said.

The plan is to have more accessibility to changing rooms and public toilets at the back of the new stand, without the need to open the entire stand or the rest of the stadium.

MacLeod said the capacity of the new grandstand might not be the same as the current one, but it will have the ability to add temporary seating for larger events.

According to the master plan, the stand will go back deeper towards the number two field to accommodate more events.

“The aim is for the venue’s total seating capacity for top-level events to at least equal what previously exists.”

Work on the East Stand is predicted to take two to three years.

Meanwhile, the first step in the project is repairing the less complex West Stand, with work starting before Christmas.   

“That stand has been put together like a jigsaw puzzle, so the actual seating is in concrete pins, so you can pop them off do some work and put them back together again. What you see is today is what you’ll get afterwards,” MacLeod said.  

It’s hoped that the repair of the West Stand, installation of modern LED lights and a new pitch will be completed before the start of next year’s national rugby competition.

“It’s a goal, not an absolute and we will have to work with the contractors to see whether that’s possible,” MacLeod said.

MacLeod said key stakeholders, including the stadium operator, New Plymouth District Council, as well as Sport Taranaki and the rugby union, were fully consulted and he is confident they understand and support the TRC’s approach.

The project’s $50 million budget remains unchanged and Yarrow Stadium rates will reduce by 40 per cent from 1 July next year because of the $20 million injection from the Government.

 

Multi-sport hub

Remodelled plans for the Yarrow Stadium site will strengthen Taranaki’s sporting network and fill a different need from the proposed New Plymouth Multi-Sport Hub. The Master Plan to remodel Yarrow Stadium for more outdoor community sports and as a premier regional venue for top-level sport was revealed by the Taranaki Regional Council (TRC).

The Yarrow Stadium plans have been unveiled following the release of the Multi-Sport Hub plans at the site of New Plymouth Racecourse in September.

The New Plymouth District Council (NPDC) is considering including the multi-sport hub into formal consultation for the upcoming long-term plan.

The redevelopment of Yarrow Stadium is being managed by the TRC.

Sport Taranaki CEO Michael Carr said it was vital everyone continued to work together to ensure the redeveloped Yarrow Stadium was part of a strengthened network.

Growing collaboration and partnerships between Sport Taranaki, NPDC, Te Atiawa and TRC mean communication lines were open and everyone was working together.

“We are focused on the best overall result for the community. Essentially this Yarrow’s plan opens up more green fields for use, which is welcome, but the detailed study of sporting needs shows key areas lacking currently in New Plymouth are flexible indoor court and movement spaces and artificial hockey turf.

“This is what the multi-sport hub at the racecourse provides.

 “It’s vital we make sure we avoid any duplication and make sure that the Yarrow site is designed as a space for active participation, as well as spectators. The possibility that both sites could work together to cater for tournaments and events is also exciting,” Carr said.