East Stand designers named
Tuesday, Jul 27 2021
Will Johnston
Two well-established architects have been awarded the contract to design Yarrow Stadium’s new East Stand, while consultation is being sought for the new stand.
Auckland-based firm GHD Woodhead Creative Spaces and local business Boon will work with other engineering, mechanical and electrical contractors to start the next phase of the $50million redevelopment.
Taranaki Regional Council (TRC) chairman David MacLeod said the design and build of the new stand is a big milestone and having a strong team on board is critical to the successful delivery of the project.
“Between them, these organisations have worked on projects like North Harbour Stadium, Mount Smart Stadium and Rotorua Energy Centre,” he said.
“We’re excited to have this wealth of experience and expertise working on the design of our new stand.”
MacLeod said the design and built of the East Stand is the largest single component of the project, which has seen the old East Stand being demolished and West Stand repaired.
Consultation with stakeholders is also underway to gather feedback on how the facility will be used and features needed.
“The design will make the new East Stand more usable, more often, by people because flexible use spaces are being built into the new stand,” he said.
Amenities will be designed to allow outer field users to access changing rooms without opening the entire facility.
In the previous East Stand, the hospitality, known as the Legends Lounge, was used for functions and also space for corporates during sports events.
Yarrow Stadium will re-open in 2022 with the repaired West Stand. The new East Stand will not be available until late 2024, with construction scheduled to begin towards the end of March next year.
MacLeod also assured ratepayers that it’s the council’s intention to stay within the budget, which saw $20million funded from the Covid-19 Response and Recovery Fund.
“The project has been designed to focus on the core components of the stands, field and lighting, with enhancements to surrounding areas to be considered once we have greater certainty on final costs.”
In early June, the TRC announced the main field will be installed by Auckland-based FieldTurf and LED lights fitted Christchurch firm Arnold Jenson Electrical.
The two stands were closed in 2018 and 2017 amid earthquake concerns.