12 | Open Country Stadium T T Russell Fredric Passion project a game changer Open Country Community Stadium will include a double court gymnasium, versatile indoor spaces, and essential amenities such as changing rooms and storage. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT For a town with a population of less than 10,000, the $11 million project represents a massive investment to add a modern community/school facility for sports, assemblies and events including provincial and inter-provincial events. Backed by a partnership between the Matamata Futures Trust, local Iwi, Sport Waikato, the Ministry of Education, Matamata-Piako District Council, grants, and local community donations, when completed the facility will be a game changer for the town. The catalyst to get the project moving was provided by local businessman Bruce Magan and some colleagues who had harboured a passion for 15 years to see a stadium built, with a $1 million donation from Bruce providing the initial momentum. Designed by Boon team Architects, the facility is being built by Foster Construction Group at Matamata College, with Open Country being the naming rights sponsor. Matamata Indoor Sports & Recreation Trust project administrator Kirstin Tye says Open Country Community Stadium was needed to replace a building that had long outlived its useful purpose and that was inadequate for ball sports and events. Open Country Community Stadium will include a double court gymnasium, versatile indoor spaces, and essential amenities such as changing rooms and storage, with its location aimed at enhancing local sports participation, improving health outcomes, and providing a positive social impact. Following a consultation process in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the proposed location of the stadium was changed to the college site from Station Road which meant the project was able to garner Government funding while still offering public access. “We see the benefits of having it with the college,” Kirstin says. “It will get used within normal college hours, but also by the community outside of college hours so it will be much more functional.” This means the stadium’s usage will be split about 65/35 respectively between the community and the school. The commitment to the project has been incredible, Kirstin says. “It’s all about creating a better future for Matamata which is what everyone’s focused on which is great. It’s certainly a true community project.” However, the backers will and the community’s will was sorely tested when the original build cost blew out massively due to post-covid cost increases. “The build had gone from an initial quote of $6 million to $11 million because of inflation in building costs.” The challenge of this increase was daunting, Kirstin says, and while it had the potential to threaten the project’s viability, everyone circled their wagons and fought through with the same determination and drive that got it started to keep it alive. “It was pure will power I guess. I’m a local girl and I understand why everyone wants it. It’s about creating a brighter future for the future generations and putting faith into the community and the college.” The stadium will offer the added benefit of opening opportunities to inter-school and inter-provincial competitions to be hosted in Matamata, along with there being plenty of opportunity for community sports organisations. “The ex-Silver Ferns Casey Kopua now works at the college in the PE department so her office will be in the stadium which is a pretty cool story in itself.” Bricklaying | Blockwork | Stonework | Solid Plastering Tiling | Paving | Slate | Landscaping | Swimming Pools Cowsheds | Concrete Work Email: Brickie@xtra.co.nz Mobile: 0274 763 617 PO Box 284 Matamata Proudly Supporting Foster Construction Proud Design Partners for Matamata Open Country Stadium ¡Ƒūƭē ƥū ċĚ ēĚŕĿDŽĚƑĿŠij ƥĺĿƙ ƙĿijŠĿǛČîŠƥ ƎƑūŏĚČƥ ȹ ĿŠƙƎĿƑĿŠij ƥĺƑĿDŽĿŠij ČūŞŞƭŠĿƥNjȦ Got a similar project in mind? Let’s work together. fosters.co.nz
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