The Ngāti Ōtara Multi-Sports and Cultural Centre is set to go through a major upgrade after Auckland Council’s Finance and Performance committee approved $1.5 million in extra funding.
The decision was welcomed by Ōtara Papatoetoe Local Board. The board has been advocating for the multi-sports complex that will provide the local sporting community with a modern facility to help them thrive.
Local Board Chair Lotu Fuli says that it has been a long time coming and the board is pleased that it’s finally going ahead.
“The people of Ōtara have been waiting for this for more than 20 years. Our local board has worked hard to secure the $4 million for the designs and build. We are overjoyed that the governing body has granted us the $1.5 million to cover the shortfall we had.
“This will mean that we can finally push ahead with our plans to build the long-awaited Ngāti Ōtara Multi Sports complex. We anticipate that the build will begin in about October this year.”
She says that the Ōtara community deserves better opportunities to explore the abundance of talent and the potential it has.
“I know our community is celebrating right now and looking forward to having a facility that is fit for purpose and meets the needs of our community.
"South Auckland is bursting with sporting talent, and through this facility, we’ll be able to provide them with the right tools to realise their full sporting potential.”
Ms Fuli thanked Manukau Ward Councillors Alf Filipaina and Fa'anana Efeso Collins for strongly supporting the project. She acknowledged their advocacy work at the governing body that resulted in a unanimous decision in favour of the funding.
“I’d also like to acknowledge those in our community who have been advocating for this project over many years, in particular, Tagaloa Willie Maea and the Otara Scorpions.”
A preliminary design for the facility was completed earlier this year. The cost of the entire project was estimated to be $5.5 million, which included the additional $1.5 million required to mitigate methane gas issues in the ground and provide a laundry facility that the clubs can use to offset operational costs.
The project was nominated as a priority project by Otara Papatoetoe Local Board for the One Local Initiative programme (OLI). The Finance and Performance Committee approved OLI funding to cover the remaining $1.5 million required for the completion of the project.
The construction of the sporting complex will begin later this year. The new complex will include a new clubroom, first-aid centre, kitchen, laundry and changing rooms.
