Te Puke Gymsport plans new home
Above: Te Puke Gymsport president Sarah Elliott (right) and co-president Jane McKay (left) with members, from left, Pareen, Portia and Addison.
Te Puke Gymsport has jumped the first hurdle in its quest for a new home.
Western Bay of Plenty District Council has agreed in principle to lease part of Centennial Park to the Club to build a multi-use gymsport facility that could become a centre for regional gymsports and local community activities.
Presenting the club's case to Council, Te Puke Gymsport co-president Sarah Elliot said membership was steadily rising and stood at almost 400 with many members coming from out of town and waiting lists for some classes.
The club's present location in Station Road is too small, not fit for purpose and a recent rent increase has pushed the annual fee up to $60,000 which is unsustainable at the club's present membership.
With more than half the membership coming from Papamoa and interest increasing across the Bay of Plenty, Sarah said there is great potential for the club to grow as a result of having a bigger and better located building.
A feasibility study has verified the need for a regional indoor mat-based gymsport facility that is accessible to all Bay of Plenty gymsport clubs. A new centre would provide at least seven gymsport activities and provide the room to run approximately 15 different community activities.
The new building would cost about $4 million - a challenging target but one that would be viable with a membership of 600, said Sarah.
The proposal has the support of Te Puke Football Club which has two pitches on Centennial Park and would not be compromised by the new venue, which would take up about 2000sm.
Council's lease condition includes the requirement for funding to be in place before the facility is built. The lease proposal will go out for public consultation and submissions.