Baypark's New TECT Arena Opens for the Community

Adding nine courts of sporting and event space to the Tauranga's indoor sports network, Tauranga city's TECT Arena has opened to the public.

Part of the fast-growing city's Baypark precinct, the new NZ$41 million facility contains over 13,000 metre2 of useable space across nine sports courts, including a 2,400 metre2m multi-purpose sports and events auditorium, a 4,700 metre2 six-court court area, four meeting rooms, two circulation areas, offices and a large foyer.

Baypark General Manager Ervin McSweeney explains that with the TECT Arena "Baypark is now one of the most versatile and multi-purpose venues in New Zealand. The TECT Arena has been built specifically for the Western Bay community to use and enjoy, and it will help meet the needs of our growing city by providing for sport, recreation and corporate events into the future.

"TECT Arena is one of most unique multi-purpose recreation and events sites in New Zealand (and) we are now capable of hosting international, national, and regional sports events plus exhibitions, conferences and indoor concerts."

The first major use of the new facility will be for the AIMs Games opening ceremony on 28th August which over 4,000 people are expected to attend. This will be followed by Tauranga Police hosting 1,000 guests at its CIB Annual Charity Luncheon on 2nd September.

McSweeney adds "our first major sporting event will be Bay of Plenty Netball's first ever game at this venue against Canterbury, and of course our first big gig is A Pink Floyd Tribute on 8th September."

This memorable show is a full reproduction of Pink Floyd's iconic concept album, The Dark Side of the Moon, plus some bonus Pink Floyd classics. Local primary school students will also appear for a starring role in the masterpiece Brick in the Wall.

Bay Event's new His & Hers Home and Leisure Expo will be the first home show to make use of the exhibition space for their 'spring lifestyle show' on 16th to 18th September, while the New Zealand Breakers' pre-season clash against the Wollongong Hawks will also take place on that weekend.

Operational since 26th August, the venue will host a special community open day on Saturday 3rd September.

An array of community sports will be on display during the public open day including volleyball, football, indoor netball, basketball, turbo touch, indoor bowls, table tennis and Zumba classes.

Families will be catered for with face painting, music & movement, bouncy castles, super slides, an arcade basketball game, balloons, and buskers while the Arena cafe will also be in operation.

TECT Arena was made possible by an $8 million grant from TECT; $750,000 grant from Perry Foundation (now Lion Foundation); $300,000 grant from Lotteries Grants Board; $7 million in sub-regional development contributions; and a $25 million capped ratepayer contribution.

For more information go to www.tauranga.govt.nz/council-projects/tect-arena-at-baypark

30th December 2010 - TAURANGA WATCHES NEW VENUE TAKE SHAPE