With dedicated sports and aquatics wings and high quality fields, Te Hiku Sports Hub offers something for everyone the whole year round! which includes Athletics, Kaitaia Swim Club, Soccer, Rugby, Cricket, League, Softball and Archery. Together with Far North District Council's support the Hub Committee is planning and developing a multi sport hub to be built in Kaitaia, and which will serve the e
ntire Te Hiku region. There will be a major upgrade of the grounds to provide year round multi use sports fields for soccer, cricket, rugby, athletics, softball, league, a fitness track around the perimeter, archery, and multi sport outdoor courts. The existing netball complex will also be upgraded. The complex will include indoor aquatics, shared club meeting rooms, team changing rooms, a cardio gym, and other facilities. The approved site, on South Road, is a Council Reserve, and has a Reserve Management Plan in place that supports the project. The current Kaitaia cold water pool is 63 years old and is only really useable for 3-4 months of the year. It has been described by several experts in the field of aquatic facilities as being in extremely poor condition. It leaks large quantities of water continuously and is reaching the end of its life. Council has stated it will not pay for any more major repairs, and that the pool will be closed permanently when a major repair becomes necessary. We desperately need to replace the old pool before this happens. Te Hiku Sports Hub plans to build a versatile, cost effective all year round aquatic complex designed and operated in such a way that the total Council subsidy needed for year round operation will be close to the current annual subsidy FNDC provides for the old outdoor cold pool in Kaitaia. The community will benefit greatly from year round access, and this will be a much more cost effective use of Council funds. Included in the plans are a group hydrotherapy pool, a learn to swim pool with toddler's weir, and an 8 lane 25 meter lap/recreation pool. The Far North is surrounded by water where numerous water based activities take place resulting in appalling drowning statistics, due in great measure to lack of water survival skills. Major fund raising is being undertaken by the community to raise 5.5 million NZD, in order to contribute 66% of the capital costs of building the aquatics component of Te Hiku Sports Hub. Year round learn to swim and water survival classes for all ages, from babies to seniors, are a high priority. Te Hiku Sports Hub will provide people of all ages with safe, fun and healthy ways to exercise, be engaged, and get and stay fit, on land and in water. Programs in the pools will provide overweight and obese community members a safe way to exercise in a supportive social environment. Our elders will also benefit from Green Scripts group classes to be offered in the hydrotherapy pool for stroke rehab, arthritis, Parkinson's, enhancing mobility, and more. The Hub will plan to provide engaging programming for Special Needs kids and teens, for pregnant women, moms/dads and babies, at risk youth, elders, and families and other groups identified as needing extra support. After school, weekend and holiday programming for kids and teens will be an ongoing priority. It is expected that there will be broad positive social outcomes for health, fitness, and emotional well being in a wide range demographic groups in the wider community and positive long term community impacts as a result of this project.
