All-weather turf aims to boost community sport

A proposed all-weather artificial turf for Nelson's Guppy Park aims to boost local sport and could breathe new life into the suburb of The Wood.

The Nelson City Council voted to include a proposal for the turf in its draft 2024-34 Long Term Plan during its last meeting of 2023 in December. Though a location for the proposed facility hasn’t been finalised, Guppy Park is its likely location.

Phil Thompson, president of FC Nelson, said Guppy Park is in high demand from sports teams year-round, which deteriorates the state of the field.

“You just get to a point where these grounds don’t keep up. We haven’t got the resources to maintain these grounds.”

The last football season saw three weekends of cancellations, and dozens of match locations also had to be frequently changed due to “diabolical pitch conditions”.

Kent Inglis, senior club captain for Nelson Rugby, said that it’s not uncommon for the club to have to cancel games for three or four weeks each season. He added that having a surface that would always stay in good condition would enable more tournaments to come to Nelson. However, the turf would also provide a facility for the youth and wider community to use.

“It’s pretty sparse in terms of what we’ve got down here and what we’ve got to offer, particularly for youth, we find that a real challenge,” Inglis said.

Therein lies the hope for the proposed turf – that it kicks off a wider plan to enhance the community well-being of The Wood.

Shane Graham, pouwhakahaere ( chief executive) of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rārua has been working with FC Nelson and Nelson Rugby to help develop a vision for the park and its surrounds that incorporates iwi aspirations for the area.

“This is the only piece of whenua that has any potential to develop into something that’s fit for purpose,” he said.

In addition to the turf, it is hoped the park will one day be home a community centre that is open week-long and incorporates arts and culture.

The turf is expected to cost $2.65 million across 2025-27, with sports clubs expected to cover half the cost. The council is expected to adopt its consultation document for the 2024-34 Long Term Plan on March 21, with consultation following soon after.

Residents will be able to provide feedback on dozens of proposals, including the all-weather artificial turf.