The South Taranaki District Council and local community representatives have been pursuing the concept of building multi-sport courts in Waverley and have decided on a venue that would fit well with existing facilities here in town.

The preferred site for the proposed Waverley multi-purpose courts is Aotea Park in Chester Street.

A fourth site meeting was held with the South Taranaki District Council Properties and Facilities staff and this site, which had not previously been considered, was suggested. Ten community members from different organisations attended the meeting and all agreed it would be a good site, close to toilets, the playground and across the road from the Waverley swimming pool.

The Council Parks Curator David Bruce has drawn up a plan for the park including the court area. The 51 x 35 metre court can be line marked for netball, tennis, hockey practice area, padder tennis and volleyball. Click here to see the plan in greater detail.

The Patea Community Board has recommended to Council that $20,000 be allocated to the project as seed funding from the Waverley Urban Improvement Fund. The Council will consider the recommendation at its meeting on 13 June. The total estimated cost is $186,340 and a group is working towards raising the shortfall.

Fundraising for the project kicked off last year with the Te Radar Show in November and on 10 June the Lisa O’Neill fashion event is being held at the Waverley Community Centre to fundraise for the project. Tickets at $25 are available at EC Dallisons.

How can you help?

Letters of support are needed from the community to convince funders there is support for this project.

Please address your etter to:  "WAVERLEY COURT SUPPORTERS"  and leave at the Waverley LibraryPlus for collection.

Would you be prepared to run a fundraising activity for this project?

It doesn't need to be a huge event - any contribution can help convince funders that there is community support for the project so if you are writing a letter of support, please give details of any fundraising activities you are planning.