Hockey wants earlier hub start

Hockey Taranaki is behind an earlier start date to build New Plymouth’s multi-sport hub.

The public is asked to give feedback on the staged facility, which will include a six-court indoor stadium, netball and tennis courts, hockey turf, four grass sports field and multi-use outdoor court space for informal sport.

The New Plymouth District Council’s preferred option would be to start the facility in 2026, despite growing sports numbers. It will chip in nearly $40 million for stage one, which is $62.5 million.

But codes, led by Sport Taranaki are opting for a 2024 start to meet the needs of the region from a health and participation perspective.

With only one turf in New Plymouth and Stratford (pictured), Hockey Taranaki executive officer Denise Hill said the organisation was struggling.

“It’s just the juggling of trying to get any practices at all for clubs fitting in once the schools start,” she said.

With the start of the senior season this week, she said it’s been a ‘real challenge’ already.

And it could get worse with initial conversations with secondary schools suggesting a boost in player numbers.

“It’s looking like teams are going to be up on 2019. That would be fantastic.”

But she said once the numbers come in, it would add more pressure to the facilities.

Hockey numbers across the region spiked between 2015-2019 with a 31% increase taking the total number of participants to 1809.

Volleyball and basketball also increased participation numbers during that period.

The indoor stadium will suit those codes along with netball, gymnastics and badminton.