New indoor stadium on Hutt Park gets the green light

Hutt Valley residents should have a brand new indoor sports facility by July next year.

A Hutt City Council committee last week ticked off a 33-year lease for Wellington Indoor Sports to operate the complex on Hutt Park. Stage one, costing $3.5 million, will feature six indoor courts, a cafe and a junglerama.

Stage two, featuring two more indoor courts and small gymnasium, is expected to cost $1.5m.

The development is expected to have more than 100 carparks but that detail is still being sorted.

Councillor Joy Baird, who has chaired a working group overseeing the development of the former raceway, said the project offered significant benefits to the council and the community.

Not only will it generate employment but it will create a focal point for Hutt Park.

The council is currently working on a long term development plan for the Seaview Gracefield area and it fits nicely into that, she said.

Not only will there be a cafe but in the long term a gym will be added.

WIS is making a "huge investment" in the area and she said that was reflected in the council offering a long term lease and relatively cheap rental.

The rental was set at $5500 plus GST with an increase of $2100 when stage two is built.

Councillor Barbara Branch said she was surprised by the proposed rent and WIS seemed to have got a very good deal.

Councillor Max Shierlaw said the indoor facility represented a good result for the city.

"At the moment it is just an eyesore and it is distracting from what is turning out to be a very good asset for the city."

The only other commercial indoor cricket, netball and soccer facility is Valley Indoor on State Highway 2. The centre is running on a month-to-month lease but its owner has indicated he intends to continue operating.

- Hutt News