New Arena takes shape
1 December 2016
The new Indoor Arena at the Fiber Fresh National Equestrian Centre is certainly taking shape, with the facility expected to be open and fully functional by May 2017.
Two giant concrete pads were laid back in April that form the base for the building, with a massive single span steel superstructure completed earlier this month.
The next stage is the roofing and cladding which will be complete by the Christmas Classic event (17-18 December).
In the new year, the internal fit out will commence, with a commercial kitchen, ablution facilities, offices and conference rooms included in the 3500m2 facility.
The entire project budget is $2.16m – which includes upgrading the covered yards and resurfacing the outdoor arenas. The new Indoor Arena is being completed in stages;
Stage 1 – Steel construction with internal fit out at ground floor level, including kitchen & ablution facilities ($1.71m - due for completion March 2017)
Stage 2 – Mezzanine floor fitout and seating areas, including 1200 Auditorium seats and three conference areas ($200,000 - due for completion May 2017)
Stage 3 – Outside viewing deck ($60,000 – due for completion August 2017)
With $1.76m currently secured, ESNZ board member and NEC Taupo convenor, Wallie Niederer is currently seeking commercial sponsorship for the centre to secure the balance of funds required. A full package of sponsorship options, with wide ranging benefits, is available and Wallie would welcome a conversation from any business interested in becoming involved.
“We have a comprehensive partnership programme for the new arena, with tiers of sponsorship available from small supporters through to large corporate ‘naming rights’ packages.” Said Wallie. “By supporting this new national arena, your business will receive increased brand awareness within a clearly defined target audience, and provide you with opportunities to connect with like-minded businesses and individuals.”
The aim of the new arena is to become the Equestrian Centre of Excellence for New Zealand, and become the home of high performance equestrian athletes in the future. This vision has been well received by the wider equestrian community, and has been bolstered by the announcement that Jock Paget is moving to Taupo to base himself at the NEC from next year.
Jock won a bronze medal in team eventing at the 2012 Olympics and in 2013 he became only the second rider to win the Badminton Horse Trials on debut. The only other New Zealand eventer to achieve that feat was Sir Mark Todd.
Jock is still focusing on his selection for the New Zealand team at the next Olympic Games in Tokyo but he is eager to get into coaching and the new centre provided a top-quality platform to base his career off.
"It makes the most sense to be based near Taupo and particularly the National Equestrian Centre where there is a lot of exciting developments going on," he said. "I think it will be the place to be."
He will be bringing his horses Angus Blue and Clifton Promise with him.
For more information please contact Wallie (phone 0274 930 652 or email harakeke01@xtra.co.nz).