What is the future of Headon Stadium?
Headon Stadium was built in 1974. Mrs E. M. Headon donated $17,500 to the stadium, according to information displayed by the council on its website.
Contributions were also made by the public and a $10,000 grant from the Department of Internal Affairs.
Corporate and operations committee charman Ash Tanner said he was baffled with the building’s current state and questioned why council was not maintaining the community’s assets.
‘‘What concerns me, we have got these buildings, we have got these assets and it’s almost like, look at these maintenance issues, look at the leaves, how come we are not doing that?’’
Councillor Kevin Tappin wanted the building to be fit for purpose for the people who want to use it, such as the cricket and soccer clubs, gymnastics, badminton and bowling clubs.
‘‘(It will be) three-to-five years before a stadium goes ahead and we need somewhere for these people to be.
‘‘If that requires maintenance or renewal, than that’s what needs to be done.’’
Mayor Jan Barnes agreed the building needed to be maintained. She wanted to find out what the community wanted and for council to get its own feasibility report done.
She said building a stadium in Matamata was different to the Silver Fern Sport Stadium in Te Aroha.
She said she didn’t believe council could afford two sports buildings.
Councillor Peter Jager agreed and said if a two-court stadium was built in Matamata, Headon Stadium would not be used.
Council decided to move forward with renewal work to extend the life of the stadium, which includes implementing repairs and addressing maintenance issues to improve the condition of the building.