Auckland Council invested $1.6 million in sports parks and fields in Albany Ward in 2016/2017, and is planning a further $2 million of investment in 2017/2018.
The contributions have helped make all-year play possible at more sports fields in the area.
Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Chairperson Julia Parfitt says sports fields are a priority.
“We can get more out of existing sports fields by making improvements such as new turf with better drainage and irrigation,” she says.
Albany Councillor Wayne Walker says it’s important to continue the investment.
“An extra 230 junior players can play on sports fields in Albany every week due to improvements made over the last five years,” he says.
Upper Harbour Local Board Chair Lisa Whyte says areas such as Hobsonville Point, Scott Point and Whenuapai also have sporting needs.
“Our new sports fields, like those being developed at Scott Point, will be suitable for all ages and abilities and a variety of sporting codes,” she says.
Sports fields upgrades in Albany
- Bay City Park: new irrigation and sand carpet upgrade
- Deep Creek Reserve: work starts later this year on a new sand field, floodlights, toilet and car park, which will be completed in 2018.
- Metropark East: sand fields and floodlighting of fields 1 and 2 are nearly complete. Cricket practice nets are being installed later this year.
- Scott Point: planning is underway on the new sports park development.
- Silverdale War Memorial Park: field 3 will be upgraded.
- Stanmore Bay Park: field 5 will be upgraded.
- Victor Eaves Park: a baseball backstop is being installed.
