Thursday 12 November 2009
MEDIA RELEASE

Grandstand approaches halfway mark

The 2500-seat grandstand being constructed at the Regional Sports Park is approaching the halfway stage.

“The last of fourteen, 20 tonne concrete columns, has just been placed,” says Ashley Hartley, General Manager of lead contractor Gemco Construction.

“The columns are the main feature people notice as they drive along the expressway and although they’re huge, their placement is precise. Hastings firm Latteys Civil Engineers, is responsible for the manufacture and placement of the columns and they’re working within a 2-4mm tolerance. That’s a tiny margin for error when you’re dealing with something so big,” says Mr Hartley

The grandstand, which has a $5m plus budget, is due to be completed in July 2010. A few months after its completion the Sports Park will host the New Zealand Secondary School Athletic championships (December 2010), followed by the primary school equivalent – the Colgate Games – a month later.

“We’re very pleased with progress,” says Sports Park Trust Chair and Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule. “The grandstand is on track budget and timing wise. We’re going to have an outstanding athletics facility which means we can host meets like the secondary school champs. This one event will bring about 3000 people and close to $1million into the region.”

Mr Yule said he was optimistic that work would commence on netball and football facilities at the Park early in 2010.

“We want to have netball courts available for the 2010 season and we’re pulling out all stops to make that happen,” he says.

ENDS

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