Twenty years ago, a Te Awamutu College staff member had the idea an artificial hockey turf would be a worthwhile addition to the college grounds.
“It was a dream, a fantasy land,” principal Tony Membery told a small gathering of contractors, staff and board members at the blessing – led by staff members Con Emery (art) and Maria Rauhihi (Māori) – of the school’s new $2 million multi use sports turf last week.
“I do want to give credit to the current and previous board. The desire to have a turf became stronger, it became more real in recent years,” he said.
The dreaming, planning, nagging, chasing up and critically the solutions delivered meant the facility was now open for business.
Head of Health and Physical Education Daniel Powell points to the photos showing how Te Awamutu College students will look once they’re playing sport on the new $2 million turf. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
“What a cool asset for a state co ed school to have. It goes with our double gym, our swimming pool, our training room… a very very resourced school. Pretty flash,” Membery said.
The 11m high canopy covers the 51m by 37m turf with its 1900 square metres of sand. It will host lacrosse, hockey, netball and football as well as whole of school assemblies, house meetings and an evacuation space.
Community bookings for activities like yoga, dancing and Pilates can also be taken. The facility is fully fenced with LED lighting and an integrated sound system.
Nick Suckling of Shade Systems said the facility was one the school could be proud of for generations while Head of Sport Chris Wynne paid credit to the contractors.
Jock Ellis from the board subcommittee which drove the project through said it had been a lengthy process.
“It just started with the turf then Dave (from the subcommittee) had a great idea for a full roof. It really finished it off. It looks awesome, it was a bit stressful sometimes, but it’s been fun.”
Funds came from the board, money donated via Momentum Waikato from past pupils and a $150,000 grant from the Rogers Trust meant the project was finished and paid for, said Membery.
Covered up: Te Awamutu College principal Tony Membery, centre, under the 11m high canopy over the multi-use sports turf with Shade Systems’ general manager Nick Suckling, left, and board subcommittee member David Peehikuru. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
