132 | RECREATION Bay Oval Trust T T Sue Russell Pavilion extension part of master plan An extension to the community pavilion is the next project planned for Mt Maunganui’s Bay Oval cricket ground. “We can’t overlook the economic impact, holding test matches brings to Mount Maunganui/Tauranga, with an estimated net benefit to the city of last year’s Black Caps-England test of just shy of $2million.” Kelvin Jones is General Manager at Mt Maunganui’s Bay Oval cricket ground, a space that has undergone quite a transformation, bringing it up to world-class standard through a bold upgrade plan, he’s overseeing. He’s been associated with the ground, part of Blake Park, 20 years now. Sparking this massive undertaking, spanning so many years, was the removal of first-class cricket from Blake Park in 2001 and the subsequent formation in 2009 of the Bay of Plenty Cricket Trust, later renamed the Bay Oval Trust. “The Bay Oval development project really started in 2005 when it was adopted as part of the Blake Park sporting precinct’s future development policy. We’ve now completed all groundworks and have a fabulous boutique cricket oval and now we’re turning our attention to the next phase; a community pavilion,” Kelvin says. To facilitate its design, Bay Oval Trust commissioned highly regarded architects Jasmax to work alongside the Trust with the vision to create a cost-effective, flexible and appropriate pavilion. With funding limitations, Bay Oval Trust decided to approach the community pavilion build in a staged way, beginning with construction of Stage 1A, the public toilets and ground-user storage, which was completed in 2012. This was followed, a year later with completion of flexible changing rooms, of various sizes, player viewing, kitchen, lounge and meeting spaces. Now, a new extension to the pavilion, always envisaged as part of the master plan, is underway. When Business North spoke with Kelvin, work had taken construction to basement level. Kelvin says there’s a clear goal to have this completed by Christmas. And there have been plenty of challenges as well, as Kelvin explains. “We are a charitable trust. The most challenging part of the development is that the design and fundraising ran through COVID, resulting in significant increases in prices and construction costs. Critically this is something that Tauranga City Council understand and have jumped on board with.” Funding support has come from a number of sources, including Tauranga City Council, TECT, gaming Trusts, individuals and businesses, along with Craig Investment Partners. “We call them our First Eleven of local sponsors. It’s a true community effort.” The project will add in lounge and bar facilities, offices and space for both match-day and operation year-round. It will double the size of the existing pavilion space. “When this is completed our expectation is that the Bay Oval venue will be able to host a wide array of first-class fixtures. We’re hoping to host an England test match later this year. It’s going to make us easily one of the best grounds in New Zealand.” With a strong nod to the traditions of the game, Bay Oval is surrounded by pristine banked lawns, lined Pohutukawa trees, six 50-metre LED light towers and capable of holding 12,000 spectators. “This really elevates our potential to host concerts with Bay Oval becoming more than a wonderful cricket ground.” Feedback from players, broadcasters and public alike has been extremely positive and the location, close to Mt Maunganui shopping and the iconic Maunga is superb. “We can’t overlook the economic impact, holding test matches brings to Mount Maunganui/Tauranga, with an estimated net benefit to the city of last year’s Black Caps-England test of just shy of $2million.” Bay Oval already hosts the Zespri AIMS Games. This year, the games, held in September will bring 370+ schools and 11,700+ athletes. “We’re so well placed, on the edge of industry, close to major roading infrastructure, that I see a very bright future for Bay Oval, hosting not only top cricket on our glorious grounds, but events of all types.” TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE. INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS.
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