Project overview
The events centre proposal is for a multi-function events centre to be built at Okara Park in Whangarei. It will have a larger capacity than the current facility as well as a conference and function centre and changing rooms, food and retail facilities.
The events centre concept has been devised by the Northland Rugby Union, but is also being supported by the Northland Regional and Whangarei District Councils.
A Regional Events Centre was initially proposed for Northland in 2004. A team of consultants was awarded a contract to investigate the feasibility of the proposal.
A telephone survey of Northlander’s opinions was undertaken in March 2005.
Provision was included in the Regional Council’s 2005-2006 draft budget. However, following a large number of public submissions for and against the proposal, we announced in June 2005 that we would not be funding a multi-use events centre that year.
We did resolve though to continue investigations into the “use, location, funding and ownership management structure of a regional multi-events centre”, and to incorporate an amended proposal on the stadium into its proposed long-term plan for 2006-2016.
In March 2006, a revised proposal was considered which would have a lesser impact on individual rates bills.
The proposal for the Regional Council to part-fund the centre was included in our Community Plan 2006 – 2016.
Our Councillors voted in May 2006 to go ahead with the part-funding for the project.
In October 2006, resource consent was granted by the Whangarei District Council to redevelop Okara Park and construct and operate a multi-use outdoor stadium. Some specific conditions were attached to the consent.
You can read the full consent report and conditions from the Whangarei District Council website:
www.wdc.govt.nz/resources/9512/DecisionOnEventsCentreResourceConsent.pdf
In November 2006, Whangarei District Council, Northland Regional Council and the Northland Rugby Union reached agreement on the content of the Deed of Trust, signalling a way forward for the proposed Okara Park Events Centre. The Deed was sent to Inland Revenue for confirmation that the Trust will qualify for charitable status.
Trustees confirmed – May 2007
Seven people nominated as trustees for a proposed regional events centre in Whangarei have confirmed they will take up the role and have been formally appointed to the position.
The yet-to-be named trust is expected to soon assume full responsibility for delivery of the multimillion dollar project.
The seven 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 and Accountant Stephen Bennett (nominated by the Northland Chamber of Commerce)
- Lawyer Peter Macauley (nominated by Northland Regional Council)
Bill Shepherd is the Chairperson of the Trust.
Construction
Details about the construction timetable are yet to be announced by the Trust.