Green light for more upgrade work at Recreation Centre

July 4th, 2011
[From TDC press release]

The costs of the Motueka Recreation Centre upgrade have been finalised and show a project under-spend of $204,000. The prudent management of the project has allowed the funds to be invested in further redevelopment of the centre.

The forthcoming works will focus on the upstairs Group Fitness area that after 18 years of discussion will finally benefit from the installation of an air conditioning unit and a new easy-access stairway as well as a lift providing full accessibility to this upstairs area.

The sports stadium lighting will be upgraded, western car park graded and sealed, external signage completed as well as the installation of a new covered bike rack, all planned to be completed by 1st October in time for the three RWC2011 Fanzones being hosted at the Centre.

The original project, funded from the Tasman District Council Facility Rate of $1.2 million and grants from the Lottery Grants Board ($750,000) and Canterbury Community Trust ($100,000), saw the roller skating rink upgraded and extended by 12 metres, with a wooden multi-use indoor floor installed, a modern fitness centre (with additional funding support received from the Lion Foundation towards equipment), new reception and office areas, new shower, toilet and change facilities as well as new carpet and a paint throughout (Read out earlier reports here and here).

"Several of the areas now planned for attention had been in the original project scope, undertaken by project manager's Abel Properties Ltd. However, due to budget concerns, these were put on hold until the final build costs were confirmed," said Mike Tasman-Jones, TDC's Community Recreation adviser.

"As several of these items were included in the funding applications to Lotteries and Canterbury Community Trust there was an obligation to complete the works. To be able to achieve the full scope on budget is a credit to all concerned. It is really pleasing to see the completed work to date, but even more rewarding to now be in a position to finish all the work that we had originally planned."

Recreation Centre manager Jody Maru said that it has been fantastic to hear all the positive comments following the upgrade. "Mixed with the positive feedback we have also had a number of our regular visitors commenting on some pressing issues that needed to be resolved. Now that these areas are being addressed we are confident our users will be totally satisfied.

"It has been a pleasure working with the Tasman District Council on this project and a big thanks to Mike Tasman-Jones and property manager Jim Frater for all their efforts. We received a very clear message at the start of the project that costs were not to exceed our allocated budget. Working in partnership with Lloyd Kennedy, Community Services manager, Mike Tasman-Jones, and Jim Frater from Tasman District Council and Luke van Velthoven from Abel Properties Ltd has enabled us to achieve all our goals within budget."

Sport Tasman's chief executive Nigel Muir said this will be the icing on the cake for the Centre, which will celebrate 25 years of service to the Motueka Community in February 2012.

"Our role as one of 17 Regional Sports Trusts in New Zealand is to provide more opportunities for our communities to be more active, more often. I know our team at the Motueka Recreation Centre are really passionate about the work they do in the area and are excited about the forthcoming works," he said.

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