21 May 2015

Turf transfer gets green light

Porirua City Council’s Te Komiti agreed to take over the Bernie Wood Synthetic Sports Field in Ascot Park at a meeting today.

“This decision is a win-win-win; for the trust operating the field, for the Council and for the community,” said Councillor Euon Murrell, Te Komiti Chair.

“The Porirua Synthetic Sports Field Community Trust is now cleared of its debts and this fantastic sporting facility will continue to provide quality, year-round, sporting opportunities for junior and senior players in Porirua.

“The Council now has an asset worth $1.9 million.

“The cost to the council of this transfer is $444,790 in total. That is made up of the original capital grant of $193,000 and loans now totalling $251,790. Ongoing costs will be about $90,000 a year, some of which will be covered by use charges.

“Ownership of this field means the Council will not have to build one of the two artificial fields it had budgeted for, to meet the winter sports demand, particularly for children.

“The Council acknowledges the enormous effort, led by the late Bernie Wood, in raising the majority of funds to build this sports turf, and thanks the Porirua Synthetic Sports Field Community Trust for their support in making it possible for our sportspeople to play regardless of the weather.”

The full Council meeting on May 27 will consider Te Komiti’s recommendation.
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