Failing stadium ‘worth fixing’
Repairs have been ordered to fix the ‘‘disgraceful’’ condition of Headon Stadium as community leaders look for someone to blame for the poor state of the public building.
An inspection showed the stadium’s roof and gutters leak, asbestos needed to be removed, windows and carpet also needed replacing.
The outside of the building needed repainting, change rooms, toilets and kitchen must be refurbished and safety improvements were needed to scoreboard platform.
There were also a lack of disabled facilities at the stadium.
Details of the report were presented to the Matamata-Piako District Council’s corporate and operations committee meeting.
Councillor Brian Hunter said gas heaters were bringing in a lot of extra moisture into the stadium, as were the leaky windows.
‘‘In my opinion although we have deferred a lot of these things over the years, it’s in the condition it is because of lack of maintenance.
‘‘It is disgraceful that we as a council have allowed it to get to this state.
‘‘As disappointed as I am, we need a consultant to point us in the right direction of what to do.’’
The council has $2 million set aside to upgrade the stadium.
It also had $150,000 in the 2018-19 financial year towards a feasibility study to investigate current use, future demand and options for the building.
Matamata Futures Trust has been campaigning to build an indoor sports stadium in Matamata and will make a presentation to council this month.
But Pohlen Park, where Headon Stadium was located, was not the trust’s preferred location.
Councillor Paul Cronin felt the stadium was worth fixing rather than asking the community to wait for a new one to be built.
‘‘We would be tarred and feathered if we said we are not fixing this because a new one is going up.
‘‘I think the amount of money we are talking about in fixing it is worth the money.’’
He agreed the stadium’s poor state was not acceptable.
‘‘There’s no point in having one of the lowest debt ratios per head of population if we are having this kind of stuff jumping up and biting us on our bum.’’