Recreation in Auckland’s CBD has received a boost following the reopening of YMCA’s Pitt St stadium after a $2 million roof repair and refurbishment.
The stadium is one of only two indoor sports facilities in downtown Auckland available to the general public, and is popular with local basketball, indoor soccer and volleyball leagues. Before its closure in late 2015 due to storm damage, the stadium attracted more than 65,000 users each year.
Sign-up to a social sports league at the newly reopened stadium>
YMCA Auckland City centre manager David Cory Toussaint said the stadium’s reopening will boost downtown recreational opportunities in the growing inner city which is now home to more than 50,000 residents.
“The reopening of the Pitt St indoor stadium will help serve the growing recreational and sporting needs of the central city community, including residents and downtown workers.
“The stadium also offers a vital space for local sports leagues and community groups to be active rain, hail or shine.”
Sports organisations, local residents, businesses and Waitematā Local Board members will help celebrate the stadium’s reopening at a formal event on Thursday 15 February.
"As Central Auckland's residential population increases exponentially, and the area attracts yet more workers and seekers of recreational opportunities, the YMCA provides an absolutely vital health, community and sporting facility," Waitematā Local Board member Richard Northey said.
It has been a two year process to source funding and complete the stadium roof replacement and refurbishment, but YMCA now looks forward to welcoming local sports leagues back to a new and improved facility.
The near 60-year-old stadium was immediately closed in late 2015 after storm damage uncovered the presence of asbestos. YMCA enlisted the services of engineers and experienced contractors to remove and replace the old roof materials, and refurbish the stadium to ensure it could continue to operate well into the future.
The repairs and refurbishment totalled $2 million, but Cory Toussaint said the not-for-profit YMCA was committed to ensuring local communities have access to indoor recreational facilities and activities and therefore chose to invest in the stadium rather than consider alternative site usage.
“The stadium is a rare recreational gem for office workers and the increasing number of CBD residents, and provides a great local community space in downtown Auckland,” Cory Toussaint said.
“We’re very grateful to the many funders and donors who share our passion for community sport and contributed funds to make the upgrades possible.”
YMCA thanks the Lottery Community Facilities Fund, Foundation North, Four Winds Foundation, New Zealand Community Trust and the Lion Foundation who collectively contributed over $600,000 dollars to the project.
Information regarding sports leagues, opening times and bookings can be found at ymcaauckland.org.nz/sports.