Support grows for white-water stadium for Telstra Clear Pacific Events Centre

Development of the proposed Wero white water stadium in the Auckland suburb of Manukau looks a little bit closer with Franklin Local Board voting to support the Regional Facilities Auckland (RFA) funding proposal.

The innovative project will be unique in New Zealand and aligns with the strategic directives for south Auckland in the Auckland Regional Councils Auckland Plan.

The white water stadium is planned as the stage two anchor attraction at TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre and will consist of a function centre and two water courses.

River Rush will be a grade four white water rafting course for recreational rafters and kayakers that will attract international televised events with a training base for the Olympic teams.

Tamariki River is a grade one water course for school group use for an introduction to rafting and kayaking.

It will also be used by not for profit groups for mentoring programmes teaching water safety and youth orientated risk control. It is also planed for the venue to provide training facilities for the emergency services for frontline moving water training.

Stage three includes Body Odyssey exhibition, art gallery and café, and office plus classroom spaces.

Body Odyssey was an interactive exhibition of the human body developed by Te Papa and the Children's Museum of Manhattan hosted at TelstraClear Pacific in 2005.

The exhibition was enjoyed by over 26,000 visitors and will be a permanent exhibition in Wero.

With the highest diabetes rates in the world, Body Odyssey will help educate our youth on the importance of making healthier choices.

An art gallery and café will be added to provide an outlet for talented New Zealand artists giving tourists and locals alike the chance to purchase original artworks.

Office and classroom spaces will also be added on the second floor of the building. This will provide meeting and workshop spaces with a wonderful view of River Rush and Tamariki River.

Stage four, The Arrival will be an interactive high tech visual display telling the Polynesian story of journey, following the DNA trail from Asia finally arriving on the shores of Aotearoa.

A descendant of Hape will guide visitors through the tunnel sharing his story of journey on the stingray named Kaiwhare to our harbour.

The tunnel will end at a contemporary Fale where guests will enjoy food of the journey along with cultural group performances drawing on the many talents from within our communities.

The Arrival will be used during the day by school students learning the stories and history of our people.

Stage five, the Outreach Gallery and artist in residence studio will house touring exhibitions with an artist in residence program for school groups from all over the Auckland region.

For more information go to www.pacific.org.nz/

25th February 2010 - COUNTDOWN FOR PACIFIC YOUTH AND SPORTS CONFERENCE 

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