By Torika Tokalau of Local Democracy Reporting
A large sports park in rural South Auckland will finally be built, more than 14 years after land was purchased to meet the growing population in the area.
Papahua (Belmont) Park will be part of Auckland Council’s $47 million investment into parks and community facilities across Tāmaki Makaurau in the next three years, through its Regional Capital Investment Work Programme.
Council’s manager area operations – Franklin, Eli Ewens, said Papahua Sports Park will be allocated $5m.
“The aim of the project is to provide open access, sport and recreational opportunities to meet the needs of new and future residents,” Ewens said.
Council’s Planning, Environment and Parks Committee decided in July that $11.6m from the Regional Capital Investment Work Programme would go towards local parks and sports field development.
Ewens said concept planning to inform the development was already underway, and was expected to be completed in the coming months.
For the next three years, the project would undergo investigation, design and consenting phases.
Ewens said stage one of the physical works was expected to start in 2026, with an estimated completion date of June 2029.
According to a Franklin Local Board facilities plan in 2022, there was a high shortfall of sports fields across the district, and an alternate fit-for-purpose facility was required in the greater Pukekohe area.
The 14.3 hectare of flat farmland at Belmont was purchased in 2010, earmarked for a sports park to meet future growth.
Franklin Local Board chair Angela Fulljames said there could never by enough green spaces for the growing communities.
“The people in the rapidly growing Belmont area will be pleased to know that their long-sought playing fields are a step closer,” Fulljames said.
Planning, Environment and Parks Committee chair Richard Hills said as Tāmaki Makaurau grew, new facilities like sports fields and parks was key to meeting the needs of residents now, and in the future.
Deputy Chair Angela Dalton said the council owned an array of assets from Franklin in the South, to Rodney in the north.
“These assets need on-going investment to keep them up to spec so they can be used and loved by Aucklanders.
“We know our communities have such pride in our parks, reserves, public spaces and community facilities so it’s crucial we invest in them while also using council budgets wisely to the best results.”
Funding has also been allocated to new park developments at Scott Point and Silverdale, at Te Kori Scott Point, Kumeū, Riverhead, Silverdale, Ōrewa, and Papakura.
