Claudelands car park and wetlands development begins

Physical works got underway today on new car park and wetlands facilities at Claudelands.

The development will see additional car parking established in two locations, along Heaphy Terrace adjacent to the Holman Stand and off Brooklyn Road within the Claudelands Events Centre site; a driveway constructed from Brooklyn Road to service the function venue, The Grandstand; and a wetland area developed adjacent to Jubilee Bush to assist with stormwater drainage and allow water-flow to be redirected back into the bush for natural irrigation.

The $1.3 million project was approved by the Hamilton City Council Contracts Sub-Committee on 22 April 2009, after being deferred since the 2004/05 financial year to ensure its compatibility with the proposed Claudelands upgrade.

Event Facilities Manager Mark Christie said while it was critical to ensure all potential work is compatible, the car park/wetlands development is a stand-alone project that is hugely advantageous to the facility regardless of whether Council decides to proceed with construction of Claudelands Arena and other onsite development as part of its Long-Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP) 2009-2019 deliberations next month.

"The wetlands and car park project is something we have been holding off for several years now so it is exciting that it will finally be taking shape," he said.

"Not only will the project hugely benefit the existing users of the facility by providing additional car parking and assisting with stormwater drainage on site, but it will also support and complement any future development.

"For example, if it is decided that the proposed Claudelands redevelopment should proceed as part of the final LTCCP deliberations, the wetlands will provide a sustainable solution to managing some of the stormwater from this development and take the pressure off the existing drainage infrastructure."

Work on the car park/wetlands project is being carried out by Fulton Hogan Ltd and is expected to be completed by the end of July 2009.

From early-June until the end of July, Claudelands Park users entering the area through the pedestrian access between Brooklyn Road and Claudelands Grandstand may experience