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The yet-to-be named trust is expected to soon assume full responsibility for delivery of the multimillion dollar project.

Ken Paterson, Chief Executive Officer of the Northland Regional Council, says five people had formally confirmed their willingness to serve on the trust at a meeting in Whangarei last night and the sixth – who is holidaying outside the region – had done so by e-mail today.

Mr Paterson says a seventh nominee – Architect Phil Higham - had decided to withdraw to avoid any future potential conflicts of interest.  The Chamber of Commerce, which had suggested Mr Higham for the role, will be asked to nominate a replacement.

The six confirmed trustees are:

• Businessman Shayne Heape and Surveyor Bryce Woodward (nominated by the Northland Rugby Union)
• Accountant Don Hewitt and Businessman Bill Shepherd (nominated by Whangarei District Council)
• Organisation Development Consultant Richard Engdahl (nominated by the Northland Chamber of Commerce)
• Lawyer Peter Macauley (nominated by Northland Regional Council)

Mr Paterson says the trustees are now bringing themselves up to speed with the project and will be meeting on a regular basis.

“It’s expected that in the near future the trustees will take full responsibility for delivery of this project.”

Mr Paterson says the Northland Regional Council has already agreed to fund a $13 million stake in the centre and the Whangarei District Council to contribute $2.5 million, with the intention that the trust will plan, build and manage the Okara Park-based facility.

However, that funding is conditional on trustees putting together a proposal that meets three criteria:

• There will be no further funding burden on ratepayers either during the facility’s construction or during its ongoing operation
• The facility must be multi-use
• It must be independently managed