New Heart for Karaka

Grand concept plans for a huge new recreation development at Karaka Sports Ground have been approved by Franklin District Council and the Karaka Sports Park Development Committee.

Council purchased an additional 13 hectares of land adjacent to the sports ground in 2007 and has been working with the Karaka Sports Park Development Committee and community groups on developing concept plans for a large scale sports and recreation development since.

Plans include two new netball and three new tennis courts, with an additional three courts to be shared between netball and tennis, three new main rugby fields and two additional training fields, junior and touch rugby fields, soccer fields, cricket ovals and junior cricket facilities.

Franklin District Council GM Community Facilities Ian Alexander says the sports park is a very exciting development which will provide a great community asset for Franklin.

“While the development will create top quality new sporting facilities it will also create a much-needed community and recreation ‘heart’ for the area. The park will include walkways, green spaces and plantings, children’s play areas and a ‘Village Green’ for the community to use for events. This development will truly create a ’heart’ for Karaka and surrounding areas.”

For the longer term the concept plan includes space for artificial sports turfs for hockey, athletics facilities and new multi-use clubrooms which could include indoor sports facilities for basketball and indoor netball and cricket.

Franklin District Council has allocated a further $1.8 million for ground, field and infrastructure development. Council will continue to work in partnership with the Karaka Sports Ground Society on the park development.

Next steps include designing detailed plans and progressing through to the resource consents phase which should be achieved by the end of this year. Physical works are currently due to begin in late 2011.

To view the concept plan go to www.franklin.govt.nz.