All-weather sports turf Debate

Community Wellbeing - Equality & Inclusion

Option 1

The residents supporting Option 1 argue that improving existing sports facilities would provide more equitable benefits across the community, avoiding the potential for an all-weather turf to primarily serve larger, centrally-located clubs at the expense of smaller, more geographically dispersed ones. They express concerns that the all-weather turf would be disproportionately accessible to elite teams and larger organizations, potentially excluding broader community access and benefits, particularly for smaller clubs and lower-grade teams. Additionally, there is a strong sentiment that funds would be better allocated towards enhancing multiple existing fields with better lighting and maintenance, thereby supporting a wider range of community members and promoting inclusivity in sports participation.

Table of comments:

Point No	Comment
8.1	Tahuna Football Club recognises the need for improved sports facilities in the Nelson region. However, we do not believe the proposal for a new all-weather sports turf would significantly benefit our club based on the potential locations outlined in Nelson City Council's 2021 Sports Field Capacity review. That review indicated an all-weather turf at Neale Park would primarily serve FC Nelson and rugby clubs, while one at Saxton Field would mainly be utilized by Nelson Suburbs. As a club based at Tahunanui Reserve, neither of those locations would be conveniently accessible for Tahuna's 6 senior teams. Instead, we support the review's recommendation of Option 1 - Improving lighting and quality of existing grass fields. Specifically for Tahuna, the suggested actions of installing new lighting along both sides of the fields near the modellers pond, and replacing poles with taller ones on the main reserve, would serve our community's needs extremely well. These improvements would resolve long-standing issues around ground usage and prioritisation that Tahuna currently faces in sharing limited facilities with Marist Rugby Club.While all-weather turfs offer theoretical benefits, the 2021 review acknowledges they would inevitably become focused on serving the needs of co-located clubs like FC Nelson and the city's secondary schools. As a more outward community club, Tahuna does not anticipate tangible long-term gains from such a facility that would justify the significant capital and operating costs, especially if it came at the expense of reduced maintenance budgets for existing grass fields.We encourage council to prioritise improving lighting, drainage and general turf quality across the region's current facilities in its Long Term Plan. This would provide more equitable benefits for all clubs like Tahuna while avoiding the potential situation where a small number of clubs become the primary users of a specialized all-weather facility.Thank you for considering our submission. We welcome any further dialogue on these crucial issues for the future of community sport in Nelson.
8.1	Tahuna Football Club recognises the need for improved sports facilities in the Nelson region. However, we do not believe the proposal for a new all-weather sports turf would significantly benefit our club based on the potential locations outlined in Nelson City Council's 2021 Sports Field Capacity review. That review indicated an all-weather turf at Neale Park would primarily serve FC Nelson and rugby clubs, while one at Saxton Field would mainly be utilized by Nelson Suburbs. As a club based at Tahunanui Reserve, neither of those locations would be conveniently accessible for Tahuna's 6 senior teams. Instead, we support the review's recommendation of Option 1 - Improving lighting and quality of existing grass fields. Specifically for Tahuna, the suggested actions of installing new lighting along both sides of the fields near the modellers pond, and replacing poles with taller ones on the main reserve, would serve our community's needs extremely well. These improvements would resolve long-standing issues around ground usage and prioritisation that Tahuna currently faces in sharing limited facilities with Marist Rugby Club.While all-weather turfs offer theoretical benefits, the 2021 review acknowledges they would inevitably become focused on serving the needs of co-located clubs like FC Nelson and the city's secondary schools. As a more outward community club, Tahuna does not anticipate tangible long-term gains from such a facility that would justify the significant capital and operating costs, especially if it came at the expense of reduced maintenance budgets for existing grass fields.We encourage council to prioritise improving lighting, drainage and general turf quality across the region's current facilities in its Long Term Plan. This would provide more equitable benefits for all clubs like Tahuna while avoiding the potential situation where a small number of clubs become the primary users of a specialized all-weather facility.Thank you for considering our submission. We welcome any further dialogue on these crucial issues for the future of community sport in Nelson.
40.6	Only the "elite teams" will likely get access to an all weather turf. So not many in our community will actually benefit. Option 1 is likely to benefit more people. Also the cost of the all weather turf could get better bang for buck elsewhere. EG a lot more people use the Nelson Centre for Musical Arts then I suspect will ever use an all weather turf and they are crying out for support.
110.6	I believe this to be an excessive use of rate payer funds. It benefits only a small portion of Nelson rate payers, which is predominantly male oriented sports being men's soccer and rugby training. I would like to know the statistics of days or games lost due to bad weather, as I think with Nelson's typical mild winters this would be minimal compared to all winter sports. I don't believe this is a good use of rates money as it benefits so few and I don't think it will bring in anymore spending into the city and youth won't benefit as the claim is being made, as youth can already use the current fields which are still fit for purpose. I would much rather see funding for a surf lifesaving facility that benefits the whole community and is inclusive of all genders and ages, not channelled into just one male dominated sport.
150.2	The Marist Rugby Football Club (Nelson) Inc. is one of seven Clubs (4 rugby and 3 football) clubs that utilise the existing green field spaces throughout the NCC catchment. Our Club supports the current NCC approach to provide funding to upgrade the fields over time and additional ongoing maintenance costs, as capacity and use increases (Option 1).We oppose Option 2 on the basis that only one synthetic pitch will be provided, which will be:a) located in a specific area to the detriment of those beyond that area (the media has highlighted Neale Park in the city as a likely location, beyond the reach of clubs in outlying suburbs e.g. Tahunanui, Stoke)b) and funding of $500,000 will also be offset by reallocating budget from the sports field improvements upgrade programme. This would mean that the majority of other grass fields that serve the majority of cubs and teams will be negatively impacted.In Marist's case, Tahunanui Fields cannot be subjected to less maintenance and upkeep than it currently receives from Council (when in fact it requires upgrading, especially with regard to lighting).
151.6	As a member of Marist Rugby Football Club (Nelson) Inc. I support their detailed submission made. We oppose Option 2 on the basis that only one synthetic pitch will be provided, which will be:a) located in a specific area to the detriment of those beyond that area (the media has highlighted Neale Park in the city as a likely location, beyond the reach of clubs in outlying suburbs e.g. Tahunanui, Stoke)b) and a reduction of funding of $500,000 by reallocating budget from the sports field improvements upgrade programme will mean that the majority of other grass fields that serve the majority of cubs and teams will be negatively impacted.
319.6	As a member of Marist Rugby Football Club (Nelson) Inc., I fully support their thorough submission. Our club stands in opposition to Option 2 due to the following concerns: a) Option 2 suggests the installation of only one synthetic pitch, favoring a specific location to the detriment of clubs situated beyond its vicinity, notably those in outlying suburbs such as Tahunanui and Stoke. The proposed site at Neale Park in the city, as highlighted in the media, exacerbates this disparity. This limited access to synthetic facilities undermines the equitable distribution of resources and opportunities across the community. b) Furthermore, reallocating $500,000 from the sports field improvement upgrade program would have adverse repercussions on the majority of grass fields. These fields serve as vital venues for numerous clubs and teams, and any reduction in funding would compromise their functionality and quality, impacting the broader sporting community. The cumulative effect would hinder the development and participation of athletes at all levels, hindering the overall growth and enjoyment of sports in our region. c) Tahunanui is in desperate need of lights to alleviate stress on a specific part of the field during training sessions, thereby expanding the training fields for football and rugby during nighttime sessions. Additionally, it would enable clubs to host night games, reducing pressure on Trafalgar Park and offering flexibility in playing times, even for younger players. However, with funds reallocated for only one field, the installation of lights at Tahunanui remains a distant aspiration.
353.6	As Rugby isnt played on all weather turf, that just leaves Soccer.  Given the popularity of swimming and aquatic sports (3x as many people report swimming than played soccer in 2022 (sport NZ) priority should be given to the Riverside pool than building a all weather turf.  Especially already it appears NCC subsidises male dominated sports (Golf, Cricket, Rugby, Soccer) more than those females participate in.
728.6	Only one all weather turf field is not enough and would probably only be used for the top sports teams.  In my view all sports fields should be upgraded for the benefit of sport from grass roots to elite sports.
809.6	Better that fields are available for all.
901.6	An all weather pitch would want to be used when  the weather is bad, which is not often. However when it does occur every club and team (100s) from all codes will want to use it. The bigger organisations will undoubtedly get more time. Being from a smaller club (Tahuna) I will never use it, but funds to maintain my pitch (and inadequate training area) will be used to finance it. This will be the same for the majority of players in the majority of teams across the region (this doesnt even include the 1000s of juniors) and the lower the grade of team the even less likely youll get any time using the all weather even though your taxes are worth the same.
902.1	The all weather turf would only benefit the top clubs in Nelson, those smaller clubs who require the support of the council to keep grounds maintained would suffer and ultimately lose members due to poor conditions. At the moment these smaller clubs already suffer with minimum field availability for trainings, I think the money would be better spent on more lights, to play midweek games to catch up on games missed due to weather, and for more training areas.
912.2	I do not believe a new all-weather sports turf would significantly benefit any other club or entity, other than those already on site, based on the proposed locations (Neale Park or Saxton Field)I support improving lighting and quality of existing grass fields instead (Option 1 from 2021 review)Specific suggestions:Install new lighting along both sides of Tahunanui fields near modelers pondReplace poles with taller ones on main reserveConcerns that an all-weather turf would inevitably become focused on serving needs of co-located clubs like FC Nelson, Suburbs and schoolsAn all-weather turf may come at the expense of reduced maintenance for existing grass fields---‐---------Upgrading Tahunanui Reserve Facilities:Tahuna FC strongly supports upgrading facilities at Tahunanui ReserveCurrent amenities like changing rooms are extremely substandard - old, rundown, and leakingWith 6 senior teams and plans for a youth program, the club requires better facilitiesOpportunity to transform the reserve into an integrated community hub for summer and winter sport codesRequest for Tahuna FC to be included in any consultation on new shared facilities impacting operationsPropose exploring housing Tahuna FC in any new multi-code facility for surf lifesaving and summer sportsCould create operational efficiencies and reduce maintenance costsProvide a vibrant, sustainable community hub for year-round sport and recreationFacilities should match the world-class status of Tahunanui Beach environment
931.4	existing sport fields are spread over the region so they are accessible to most users who do no necessarily have a mean to move to an all weather turf.  Easy access of nearby facilities is socially positive, for example for after school practices and training.
987.6	Option 1 will have much less of a financial impact on whanau, especially low-income households, while still improving the accessibility of sports fields.  There needs to be consideration around whether a new sports turf should be prioritised over ensuring more financial stability for low-income communities.
1022.1	I don't support removing funding for existing facilities upgrades and maintenance. Upgrading and maintaining current facilities can benefit all clubs and users but an all weather facility will likely be disproportionately utilised by the nearest clubs and schools.The current lighting at tahunanui fields is inadequate for the number of teams trying to utilise them. Tahuna fields is desperately in need of better and more lighting. Floodlights on the field adjacent to the modellers track would help provide more training space. Currently 6 teams share a space smaller than one football pitch and the current lights dont illuminate the whole area.
1072.6	Alarge amount was spent on the turf at Trafalgar Park and facilities at Saxtons Field at little or no cost to the sports involved whereas the Aero Club are charged commercial rates for ground rental rates and landing fees when the western grass would be sufficient for them as their park. They do not run a commercial operation , just a sporting club that help establish the current air port.
1338.5	In a time of financial difficulty, this feels like wholly wasteful spending. Furthermore, building an all-weather turf in a potentially at-risk climate area that is clearly biased towards a limited number of sports is unnecessary, as these sports can already play outside for the most part while other sports that cannot lack indoor facilities entirely. Where is the proposed funding for public INDOOR tennis courts, then? Or indoor track and field/gymnasium? Why does rugby always get all the preferential treatment? An upgrade to the fields is sufficient without building a wasteful plastic all-weather turf.
1429.1	we need more flood lighting around all training parks to benefit more people. The all weather pitch will be to hard to give everyone equal rights. Rugby will want it all for themselves. A focus on upgrading the existing areas will be better for the people and the environment. More lights in the playing fields make them safer not only for those playing but also the general public. It is so cool going down to Tahuna and seeing Football and rugby teams, men and woman training on the week nights. BUT they are all fighting for lit up space. Let’s expand the lights out and bring more to Tahuna playing fields!!
1441.5	I think it will only benefit the local club, and not the nelson community. Having more lights so night games can be played would ease the congestion of games on a Saturday/Sunday.