Basketball fans in Albert-Eden will be delighted with the news that a new basketball court is set to be installed in Coyle Park, Point Chevalier.
Following community consultation, mana whenua engagement and budget negotiations construction of a basketball court in Coyle Park is set to start this November, with an expected completion date of February 2023.
It follows approval by Albert-Eden Local Board to build the basketball court, after a community consultation in Point Chevalier, with the closest basketball courts currently located at Waterview Reserve or Nixon Park.
“This is good news for our community. After many years of waiting we will finally see the basketball court going in,” explains Margi Watson Chairperson of Albert-Eden Local Board which is funding the project.
“We expect this to be a well-used sporting facility for many years to come.”
Coyle Park was chosen because of the large greenspace available within the area, and the location will be over 100 metres from resident housing, allowing practical considerations to be addressed.
The open field and children’s playground between the park surrounds and the first residential properties will help to manage the noise for nearby residents, while the wide-open spaces and clear sightlines around the court means antisocial behaviour will likely be deterred.
While the basketball court will be full-sized, it will not be competition grade, as an asphalt finish was found to be much easier and cost effective to maintain.
“Providing a robust facility was a major focus for this project,” explains Ahsan Kamal from the Auckland Council Parks and Community Facilities team leading this project.
“One of the major costs for these facilities is upkeep of the court surface, once there are divots knocked out of it the quality of play really reduces, asphalt is easily patched to retain quality and continual play.”
Mana whenua have been actively involved in the project, including providing an art design which will be located at the entrance of the court. They will also be present at the official opening to ensure that the site is blessed before construction and will be present for cultural monitoring while construction is underway.
Work is expected to begin at the end of November 2022, with an anticipated completion date in February 2023. Follow the Albert-Eden Facebook page for project updates and opening celebration details.
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