Master plans designed to create more sports fields and leisure opportunities for Papakura Local Board residents have been approved for two parks.
The Prince Edward Sports Park and Drury Sports Complex are critical elements in the board’s strategy for dealing with population growth.
Board chair Brent Catchpole says growth in the board area shows no sign of slowing and facilities need to be planned to cope with more calls for sports fields.
“We can’t add thousands of people to the area and not plan for where they are all going to be able to play their sport and undertake family leisure activities.
“We adopted the Papakura Local Board Sports Needs Assessment in 2018 to provide guidance for investment into new facilities and making the most of the resources we already have.”
The board agreed to fund master plans for Drury, consulting with groups based at the park, the community, and potential users.
Planning for Papakura’s Prince Edward included wide engagement and the possibility of new facilities.
The Drury Sports Complex is in an area where the population is forecast to increase significantly, and the master plan proposes field realignment, lights, lit tennis courts, a playground and a location for a new multisport centre and clubrooms.
Prince Edward is the home of Counties Manukau Softball, which has almost 70 teams playing across eight clubs with more than 1000 members, and the Papakura Sea Eagles 24 league teams.
Its master plan outlines work around the softball diamonds including artificial turf, lighting, fencing, drainage, sand-carpeting and adding capacity to the changing rooms.
There are also recommendations for fitness equipment along the path to promote health, and a nature play space with recycled timber seating, picnic and BBQ area with a view to the neighbouring inlet.
