Papakura’s McLennan Park, selected as a training venue ahead of next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup, is to receive a $1.6million upgrade.
Eleven venues across the city will benefit from $18million worth of upgrades, work that will include pitches, lighting, clubroom facilities and changing rooms, something Manurewa-Papakura Councillor Daniel Newman says will be a lasting legacy from the tournament.
The funding comes from Auckland Council, central Government and club contributions.
New Zealand Football and Sport New Zealand have contributed as part of a national approach to ensure venues create gender-neutral environments for the tournament and ongoing community sport.
“This tournament is going to deliver lasting benefits for the Papakura City Football Club based at McLennan Park, and many other community clubs across the city,” Newman says.
“The upgrades will be an enduring legacy of hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup that will provide ongoing benefits to future generations.”
McLennan Park is in line for improved facilities including to showers, toilets, accessible bathrooms and changing rooms.
While Eden Park will be used for all Auckland matches, the 11 venues will be used as training sites for sides competing in the 20 July to 20 August tournament.
Papakura City Football Club was recently granted almost $40,000 by Papakura Local Board towards facility improvements, partly as a signal that local authorities were solidly behind the tournament.
Chair Brent Catchpole says the Board is pleased to have played a part in making the redevelopment possible.
“It will give the community the chance to access a building that as well as fulfilling its World Cup role, will offer conferences, weddings and family events, and multiple sporting events such as Oceania Cup games.
“FIFA and New Zealand Sport have got behind an ambitious project with the bulk of the funding and the board was delighted to also support a successful and forward-looking club.”
The club says the improvements will allow McLennan Lounge to cater for 200 people, which will open the doors to dance, arts and leisure groups across the off-season, and on some nights during the playing year.
