Home > Archives > 3rd September 2018 issue > Meeting charts future direction for Mangawhai sport and leisure
MANGAWHAI'S NO.1 NEWSPAPER
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Meeting charts future direction for Mangawhai sport and leisureBY JULIA WADE
Facilities and grounds for sports and recreational activities in Mangawhai was weighed, analysed and found wanting recently, as residents and activity groups came together to discuss the future of sport and activities in the area. Hosted by Mangawhai Community Trust (MCT) at Mangawhai Beach School on August 19, the meeting was a chance to have an open discussion regarding the future of sport and recreation in Mangawhai, as well as developing a coordinated approach for the use of existing facilities. A broad range of people attended including interested locals and parents involved in a variety of sport including netball, basketball, football, martial arts, tennis and surfing, as well as representatives from community organisations including Mangawhai Beach School, Mangawhai Activity Zone (MAZ) Mangawhai Park, Mangawhai Domain, Mangawhai Shed and Kaipara District Council (KDC). Led by Freeman Associates director and community sport consultant Fay Freeman, the group first outlined the many activities and facilities already available locally before identifying the gaps in resources. The lack of a decent-sized, all-weather facility, calendar clashes with the same facility between different sports training and games, and limited flat areas to develop fields for a range of sport such as athletics, cricket and softball, were listed. However there was acknowledgment that some sports were now no longer around due to a fall in interest and not due to lack of facilities. Discussion also focused on the possibility of expanding the quality and use of the Domain building and fields due to the facility’s central location and flat grounds. Domain spokesperson John Dickie agreed that the facility was ‘not 100 percent utilised’ and more activities could be accommodated. Sport clubs are welcome to book the indoor facilities for a charge, to offer visiting teams hospitality he says. “However one of the conflicts is, many of the activities suggested for the Domain would preclude the gala which is considered one of the best events from Auckland north,” he says. “If you start developing specialised fields you can’t park cars on the field for the gala. Is that what the community wants? Playing fields and to pay $30,000-plus in lieu of the gala’s funds plus the thousands it takes to maintain good fields? That is the reality.” A distinction was also addressed between existing facilities such as MAZ’s courts and fields for the purpose of leisure and practise without having to join a club, and the need for specific sports grounds. The idea for a public swimming pool for fun and lessons was raised as well as the exciting possibility of a covered swimming pool being developed at Mangawhai Park due to thermal water being found in recent drilling tests, although further investigation will be required. Deputy mayor Peter Wethey also offered the possibility of land being developed behind MAZ although the plan was at the ’infancy stage at the moment’. “An accurate land survey of the Council owned Mangawhai Community Park is about to be undertaken,” he says. “This will show whether there is sufficient suitable land available for some form of sporting facility to be developed in conjunction with community clubs and associations.” After lengthy discussion the group recognised a list of short and long term priorities: Covered courts for basketball, netball, futsal, volleyball, indoor football; Quality fields potentially with artificial or hybrid turf and floodlighting for multi-sports games and night training, and Possibility of netball sharing the tennis clubs courts; More space for martial arts, yoga, pilates, dance, prize givings and hosting visiting teams; Creating opportunities for water-based activities such as kayaking, yachting as well a public swimming pool; A cycle track connecting Mangawhai Heads with the Village; Domain playing fields and facilities such as changing-rooms and toilets are fit for purpose and meet the needs of user groups. MCT, whose purpose is to benefit sport and recreation in the Mangawhai area, will continue to play a role in local sport and recreation by supporting groups who are establishing or struggling to operate. MCT will also maintain a current and accessible directory of all Mangawhai groups and facilities as well as an events registry informing of the ‘where and when’ of activities. Wethey said how pleasing it was to see so many of the community at the meeting ‘representing such a wide range of sporting and recreational activities’. “Community input such as this is critical to the forward planning for recreational facilities, which need to match the projected population growth in the area,” he says. “This meeting has made me very aware of the opportunities that lie ahead of us and the need for careful coordination and involvement between all the effected stakeholders.” A feasibility study to explore the best options will be conducted before any planning begins with information from the meeting passed to KDC for consideration. MCT will keep everyone ‘in the picture’ chair Roxanne Kelly says. “It was a good turnout and has been quite vocal which is what we wanted; we want to hear what [the community] has to say.” “Community input such as this is critical to the forward planning for recreational facilities, which need to match the projected population growth in the area.” - Peter Wethey, Kaipara deputy mayor |