Lease approved for multisports hub, allowing stage one of development to get under way

A multisports centre in Gisborne is a step closer to construction. 

During an operations committee meeting on Thursday, Gisborne district councillors voted to grant a lease for the Victoria Sport and Recreation Hub (VSRH), so stage one of the development can get under way. 

The VSRH is a charitable society that plans to fund and construct a multi-stage development of the Victoria Domain in Childers Rd, starting with the resurfacing and reorienting of the netball courts. 

It also plans to create three multipurpose courts that can be booked by the public and provide a “premier level of netball and tennis” to the Gisborne community. 

The charity represents the needs of Gisborne tennis, Gisborne Netball Centre, Surf City Squash and the YMCA. 

Councillor Larry Foster said netball was a huge part of the community. 

“This will help to enhance the sport and enhance the whole area.” 

Councillor Aubrey Ria said she could name 100 people off the top of her head who could utilise that space. 

She also pointed out the benefits of the covered area. 

In the cold of winter, her daughter’s team often had to share three-quarter court space in the YMCA because the lights were not good and it was wet outside, she said. 

She also asked if there was any consideration for extending parking space. 

“The parking situation on a Saturday morning is extremely difficult and congested,” she said. 

A council spokesperson said it had looked into it and scaled back one of its developments for a carpark, and intended to fully involve parks in future plans. 

Councillor Rawinia Parata said recreation and play were the heart of a community, providing “spaces for families to be together doing things that are active and engaging”. 

Deputy Mayor Josh Wharehinga referred to his experiences of his daughters playing at the courts. 

“Five daughters, all playing netball, of different sizes and different gradients ... trying to play the sport they love.” 

He looked forward to his grandkids, too, playing there when the time came. 

The resurfacing of the courts has received a funding commitment from Trust Tairāwhiti as part of a $15 million allocation from the 2021 Tairāwhiti Sport and Recreation Facilities Business Case. 

Other sporting facilities in the area include the YMCA gym and indoor court, badminton hall, squash club, Childers Rd Reserve on which are two football fields and the Gisborne Thistle AFC clubrooms, and the Oval, which is used for rugby and has clubrooms either on it or bordering it. 

Stage one of the development is expected to take place from October to March. 

Victoria Domain is held as a recreation reserve and administered by Gisborne District Council.