Debate Argument in Support of Option 2: Construct an All-Weather Turf and Reduce the Current Upgrade Programme

Introduction

The proposal to construct an all-weather sports turf represents a strategic investment in the sporting infrastructure of Nelson. This initiative not only promises to enhance the city's appeal as a sports hub but also addresses the practical needs of the community, ensuring year-round accessibility to sports facilities.

Main Arguments

Increased Accessibility and Usage:
The all-weather turf can be utilized regardless of weather conditions, which is crucial given the frequent rainfalls that render natural grass fields like Neale Park unusable. This ensures consistent training and playing schedules without interruptions, as highlighted by a resident who emphasized the challenges faced last winter due to boggy conditions.
As one comment noted, artificial turfs in Wellington have significantly increased access to sports, suggesting a similar potential for Nelson.
Community and Economic Benefits:
Several residents pointed out the potential for the turf to serve as a new attraction for families and youth, thereby revitalizing the city. The ability to host sports tournaments makes Nelson a more attractive venue, potentially bringing in teams from outside regions and boosting local businesses.
The turf is seen as a long-term asset that will pay dividends through increased community engagement and economic activity, much like the positive impact observed with the upgrade of the Nelson College front field.
Support for Diverse and Inclusive Sports Participation:
The all-weather turf is particularly important for inclusive sports access, as one resident noted its significance for migrant communities integrating into the city. This aligns with the broader goal of fostering a welcoming and inclusive community environment.
The facility would support a wide range of sports and activities, ensuring equitable access for various groups, including children, youth, and adults across different sports codes.
Strategic Location and Infrastructure Utilization:
The debate over the location of the turf highlights a community preference for central locations like Saxton Field or Guppy Park, which are already equipped with some infrastructure such as lighting and public amenities. This would optimize costs and enhance the site’s accessibility.
Placing the turf in a central location supports local businesses and provides easier access for the majority of residents, as suggested by multiple submissions advocating for locations that bolster community and economic engagement.
Financial Viability and Support:
The proposal includes a significant contribution from sports codes, covering 50% of construction costs and part of the ongoing maintenance, demonstrating strong community and stakeholder buy-in.
Suggestions from the community indicate a readiness to explore additional funding avenues such as grants, which could further alleviate financial pressures on the council and taxpayers.

Conclusion

The construction of an all-weather sports turf under Option 2 is not merely an infrastructure project; it is an investment in the health, well-being, and economic vitality of Nelson. The community's strong support, coupled with the practical benefits of increased accessibility and usage, underscores the necessity and potential impact of this project. By choosing this option, the council can ensure that Nelson not only meets the current sports facility standards observed in comparable cities but also sets a foundation for future growth and community development.

Comments

Option_Selected	Comment
Option 2	This option will help revitalise the city (another attraction for families and youth) and provide a long-term asset for the Cities sporting codes.
Option 2	This would be such a great asset to the sporting community and encourage visiting teams.
Option 2	An all weather surface is a minimum standard expected of a well run city ,allowing much more access to some of the most accessible and inclusive sports (football, rugby) particularly for our migrant communities as they look to integrate.
Option 2	Saxton Field seems the most logical place for this venue due to it's central location
Option 2	do this as fast as possiable
Option 2	we need this, last winter there was so much rain and neale park was boggy and unusable that we couldnt train for football
Option 2	this will be a massive pull for the region. The current state of sports turfs are poor and vulnerable during winter months. One just has to look at the old Nelson College front field and how much more use it has had now the upgrade is complete
Option 2	Depends on where the all-weather turf will be. It would be a shame if it moved out to Saxton, as everything seems to be moving out that way towards Richmond. Would be great to have more stuff in Nelson. It is great that Neale Park is in Nelson.
Option 2	Option One is ongoing heomeraging of Council funds at the behest of the weather whenever. “Option Two” sees a do-it-once-do-it-right regime in place. Yes. Itll be expensive at the start, but, like Nelsons Water Treatment Station, will pay growing dividends through savings year after year.
Option 2	This is positive for the community and sporting development for our young people. There are lots of grants available that could help to fund this.
Option 2	As someone who lived in Wellington most of my life i was heavily involved in playing touch rugby in summer and rugby in winter about the time that these artificial turfs started popping up everywhere in Wellington. They are amazing to play/train on and once you install one people will be lining up to use it and sports will be willing to pay rental fees. This will lead to more and more of them being created. The Tahunanui field would be an ideal location!
Option 2	based at the biggest club grounds
Option 2	An all weather turf in Nelson should have happened a long time ago. This will be in demand so please ensure there are adequate all weather fields available and flood lighting. We need to get with the times and make this happen. Thanks for making this Counsels proposal!
Option 2	The obvious choice must be Saxton field, local club has 900 members, with the addition of an astroturf it would be a world class facility
Option 2	the turf should be at suburbs
Option 2	with the disruption of sports due to weather this would be such an added addition to area, as would encourage more competition as well as teams to be competitive when representing the region
Option 2	this needs to happen asap!
Option 2	This is long overdue for Nelson and needs to be a priority.
Option 2	nelson needs all weather surface fields! Use saxton fields to develop.
Option 2	Construct at Neale Park or Guppy Park.
Option 2	in my opinion having the all weather turf at Saxton would be the most cost efficient given that there are already flood lights installed which will cut down on cost. Also with with existing public toilets and the hockey turf makes for a great economical boost for Nelson, by allowing us and giving our young community great opportunities to host sport tournament all year round.
Option 2	Thisis a no brainer given the registered players outnumber all other sports. No need to reduced other upgrades.
Option 2	Desperately need this! And will bring the community together.
Option 2	As a province we are so behind other provinces and linked with our geographical location are kids are discriminated against. We are in desperate need of an all weather facility. It needs to be at Guppy Park and Guppy Park needs to change so that it is shared better between the codes. Trafalgar Park is not an option because the usage would be dominated by rugby. Having it at Guppy would bring some more much needed support to businesses on the main street through every day traffic and also the income that comes with hosting other teams.
Option 2	I believe Option 2 is the way to go from an overall cost of ownership point of view. However its not high on my list of things to do.
Option 2	much needed for Nelson
Option 2	All dependent on the location. We are sadly lacking in Nelson, and North Nelson
Option 2	Council needs to be fair and reasonble when setting ongoing fees for the use of the turf, most sports clubs do not have great financial resources and the end users are largely made up of rate payers (and their family mebers) who have helped pay for the new sports turf in the first place through their rates.
Option 2	This Facility as hugely over due for Nelson. Football in Nelson supports so many young children, youth and adults into choosing healthy lifestyles and choices. This should be the case all year round with a much needed all whether turf. The benefits out way the negatives 100% Let's make this happen!!
Option 2	there is a need for an all-weather turf. it should be able to be accessed by many different clubs, teams, ages, genders and levels of play and not saved for upper-level grades and teams. the booking of the turf should be fair and equal and not based on only one club. there is a need for some level of upgrade of water drainage across many of the fields at neale park. There is currently ALOT of work being done on one field but no work on the others. it should be functional enough to tolerate a moderate amount of rain in a week to allow play on the weekends. Perhaps a closeure or 2 in the entire season should be tolerated but drainage improved so that it is not more often than that.
Option 2	Making it easier to hold more regional tournaments for all age groups.
Option 2	Saxton is such an amazing complex. Investing in an all weather turf would be fantastic for our community. I think this is only the start though and it shouldn't be at the detriment to the other pitches. Tamariki need good pitches to train on. I'd rather see cuts in other areas to support this proposal as it is used my a high number of our community.
Option 2	An all weather sports turf would allow sporting codes to continue training and playing during periods of bad weather. This helps competitions avoid interruptions and maintains player interest and satisfaction. Damage to grass turfs could also be reduced.
Option 2	have private interest groups raise money
Option 2	You need more than 1 all weather turf field as otherwise only the top team will ever get to utilize it.
Option 2	this should be at saxtons though
Option 2	all weather turf? Or a recreational center like the hub the the youth of nelson got deprived of
Option 2	An all weather turf can be used for many more times than a grass pitch. This means the grass pitch won't get damaged and could be used for other activities and people can be more active and I would like to see good teams train and play here.
Option 2	An all-weather sports turf has been required in Nelson for many years and I support to proposal to construct.
Option 2	Some reservations here that the Council will become the default funder. The sports codes involved need to be contractually locked into their long term obligations
Option 2	Sports clubs/community should raise 50% of the cost
Option 2	ALL-WEATHER SPORTS TURFConstruct an all-weather turf
Option 2	I would propose Guppy Park as the ideal location. 1. Centrally located for the population of Nelson 2. Close to accomodation and general facilites of town when the facility hosts tournaments3. Injects mych needed revenue to the city centre when tournaments are on or even on wet Saturdays when other hrass putches are not available. People will still use cafes and bars as they are close by. 4. Could combine with the rugby club with obvious synergies 5. Only have to look at the huge benefits Christchurch has had from Englush Park and the use all clubs have had on rainy days. Prevents fixture congestion and all players seem to enjoy the surface.
Option 2	Prefer to see NCC and TDC provide community facilities together to a higher standard befitting Nelson's position as the third largest urban centre in the South Island. It is notable that smaller towns like Blenheim and Timaru have better facilities than either Nelson or Richmond. Combined investments should be right-sized commensurate with our combined population.
Option 2	please build one in nelson city, Guppy Park. Would encourage more people to take up sports and make for a more liveable city where people want to live to play there.
Option 2	This is well overdue and an all weather turf is needed. The amount of games that have been called off not just because it is raining/the weather is bad but to "prolong the pitches or pitch conditions" is ridiculous and this is across all ages/gradesHaving an all weather turf/s like the Christchurch football center would not only be of benefit to local Saturday football games but it could also mean that Nelson could look at hosting tournaments like the Christchurch International Cup which then would benefit Nelson as a whole. All football clubs in Nelson are wanting facilities like this and I can see it being well used. 2 options for the turf location I believe would be Neale Park or guppy parks as the grounds here are so uneven, or if looking for a more "central" location for Nelson/Richmond could be Champion green
Option 2	Seems obvious for long term benefit. I do wonder though, as this issue does not affect me, why it is so high on the list when huge issues like granting land access from Ngati Koata for recreational use which I imagine would affect so many more people are not.
Option 2	It would also be beneficial to upgrade facilities around mountain bike parks in the Nelson area. Much the same as Wellington has done with shower and toilet blocks and also enabling food cart/ coffee carts in the hubs. Lockers would also be beneficial as many school children bike at the parks after school and dump their bags in bushes for pick up later. This would also benefit tourists,.
Option 2	An artificial turf in central Nelson (Guppy Park) close to the CBD is absolutely needed. It would give sport codes a reliable training and game surfaces regardless of the season and the weather. Grass fields in the area have been deteriorating due to poor maintenance, strain due to the weather (too wet or too dry) and due to overuse. A turf would help give these pitches a rest and reduce cost of maintenance.Young kids from all different walks of life would benefit from a turf and access to it. Talking of a safe space to do sports / be active. Not to forget about the opportunities a good turf would provide to aspirational kids / teenagers pursuing a career in sports. They need modern facilities to develop their skills at a good level. It’s a big investment but its well worth it. It would also see sport codes work together. It’s a bo brainer.
Option 2	At Guppy park
Option 2	Make sure its in Nelson at Neale Park / Guppy
Option 2	Absolutely need this to encourage greater sports participation for the wellbeing of the individuals involved and the clubs who support them.
Option 2	shoild be central location such as Neal park up grade neal park fields to, scrape and re sod
Option 2	Central Nelson needs an all weather Turf that will re-invigorate local business through community events being held there & also provide a safer & sustainable surface than currently present. Neale & Guppy parks are not well maintained & have not been the recipient of any upgrade of existing approach. An artificial turf in Central Nelson would also alleviate the burden of having high amount of events on pitches that are not currently maintained well.
Option 2	it would be great to have at guppy park
Option 2	please make this a reality, long over due
Option 2	Location at guppy park
Option 2	An artificial turf is desperately needed in Nelson. Currently making do training on a dangerous pitch (Neale Park/North Road) that i'm told used to be a landfill. Most weeks in winter we can't even train at all and have to seek out a turf.
Option 2	It needs to be at Guppy park
Option 2	A difficult one. The all-weather turf needs to have buy in from all affected sports bodies, with no one sports body trying to claim any priority access to it. Maybe it's time to do a review of all our sports grounds to ensure they're still relevant and fit for purpose. Drainage being a key issue.
Option 2	Current grounds are not fit for purpose. Artificial pitch should be located at Guppy/Neale park given they are the worst in the region and would need the most ongoing maintenance.
Option 2	It needs to be at Guppy park and not at Saxton sports fields they have everything already.
Option 2	all weather turf needed at guppy park
Option 2	at Guppy
Option 2	An all weather turf facility is essential for a growing City like Nelson and the turf needs to be located in the City! Neale Park / Guppy Park are the obvious choices.
Option 2	This is long overdue. It has to be in central Nelson.
Option 2	This facility would be an asset to the City. It would be well used and it should be placed in the City area (Neale Park).
Option 2	this is a mist i have just moved down from Wellington where they have about 9 or ten of these yea the weather is better here but still in Desperate need of one from alot of sports to benefit ( especially football basically an all year round sport for kids to be active and competitive)
Option 2	Nelson has a poor history in investing in future..
Option 2	The need for the development of a turf facility in Nelson City is very real.The current pitch conditions are not ideal. Neale and Guppy Parks are built on reclaimed land that was previously a landfill. This means the pitches are susceptible to subsidence, leaving the pitches with peaks and troughs in, which change and worsen over time. The pitches have no watering system, so over dry periods, they dry out causing the grass to die and the pitches to become rock hard and dry & dusty. Mowing and linemarking of the pitches rely on the appropriate weather to do so, which leaves the pitches in much less than ideal condition often depending on rain levels.Over the winter season, many games and a lot ot trainings and skills sessions have to be cancelled due to the condition of the pitches due to bad weather. This affects the number of sessions players get and also means the fees the players pay provde them with less game time. This is a major factor of dissatisfaction amongst players.a turf facility would not only provide a quality, consistent pitch for football and rugby, but would allow numerous games/trainings per day to be held on the same pitch without affecting the quality of the training or the condition of the pitch. Current grass pitches can only handle 2, maybe 3 games per day, with some only being able to handle 1 due to the conditions of the pitches. You could play 6 games per day on the turf pitch without it affecting the pitch condition.This would have a significant positive effect on the codes and their players. It would also mean players could be at the same grounds to aupport other teams whilst waiting for their game, rarher than having to be spread around the city.turf pitches require much less maintenance - therefore the labour hours and cost would be reduced compared to grass pitches - eg, turf pitches do not require the same mowing, linemarking, maintenance, seeding, rolling etc as grass ones.A turf facility in the city centre area would allow the codes to develop tournaments and events that will draw people from within the area, the region and the country to the central city - to stay, spend, shop and visit the hospitality venues in the city centre, bringing much needed people and income into the city.The football and rugby codes and local iwi have developed a fantastic relationship, working collaboratively with each other, and would welcome the opportunity to do this with a turf facility in the city centre.The devlopment of a turf pitch is vital, and with this devlopment i believe strong consideration needs to take place in developing two pitches at the facility - the costs involved in developing two at the same time instead of one, and maybe another one at a later time would be much less and the benefits of having two pitches would be immense - it would allow much more use, more maintenance cost savings and would be a lot more beneficial for holding events and tournaments. Nelson is currently falling behind every other city in New Zealand in terms of turf development. A number of much smaller towns have these facilities. With advancements in the technology used in artificial turfs, the environmental impacts ate being mitigated, and in fact, the reduction of machinery use in maintaining the turf pitches is environmentally beneficial. The council have already dedicated funds into the development of a turf facility, with the feasability study completed in 2020 which stated that the ideal placement of artificial turfs in the region is in the city centre.If a turf facility is approved, the maintenance of other pitches still needs to be adequate to maintain quality pitches that meet the health and safety requirements and the requirements of the sports code bodies. Maintenance savings will be made already with the reduction of maintenance needed for turf instead of grass.A turf facility in Nelson City centre is a MUST
Option 2	All-weather Sports TurfTBCA supports Option 2 – construct an all-weather turf and reduce the current upgrade programme An all-weather sports turf would make Nelson an attractive destination for sports tournaments and national events as well as providing an alternative playing and training venue for sports codes in wet conditions. Siting it somewhere centrally (Saxton Field?) would allow it to benefit from existing infrastructure, which could help reduce costs.
Option 2	Do this once, do it well, saves on the longer term.
Option 2	this depends on where its proposed to be, having it out by Neale park is ridiculous and only benefits one or two organisations, if its at Saxton which is a sports hub for Nelson than i think its a great idea
Option 2	Below is a submission to the Nelson City Council Long-Term Plan regarding the inclusion of artificial sports fields and lighting for northwest Nelson City. The submission is structured to present a clear, well-supported argument highlighting the benefits and necessity of these facilities. Submission to the Nelson City Council Long Term PlanDate:24/04/24Submitted by: FC Nelson Football Club Contact Information: 0277048226Executive SummaryFC Nelson Football Club (FCN) respectfully submits this proposal to advocate for a must-have, fit-for-purpose artificial sports fields and adequate lighting systems in northwest Nelson City (Guppy and Neale Park). The field will be for ALL footballers, competitive and social players. It will support the growth and development of football at all levels, putting our footballers on an equal footing with those from other regions we play with and against. It will provide a safe sports ground available 24/7, increasing participation in sport of more people in our community. It will increase the hours people can learn and play sport in the region, as it is not impacted by the rain like the current grass fields are. As a founding member of the Nelson Rugby Football Working Group, FCN are working closely with Nelson Football Rugby club, another cornerstone entity that provides a valuable service to our sports community. We are working together to provide the best environment for our combined sporting community, and both organisations support artificial turf at Guppy and Neale parks. IntroductionAs a cornerstone of the community, FC Nelson, formed in 2011 by the amalgamation of the four Nelson City based clubs has been fostering the spirit of teamwork, resilience, and cultural diversity since its formation. We are the largest football club in Nelson City. We now celebrate nine senior teams including a women’s team, 21 Junior teams and over 100 playing fun and family football. Our commitment extends beyond football; we aim to build a healthier, more vibrant community through sports. The proposal for artificial sports fields and enhanced lighting facilities is driven by an urgent need for accessible, reliable, and safe sporting venues in northwest Nelson City.Current ChallengesCurrently, our community faces several challenges with the existing natural turf fields:1. Limited Playability: The natural grass fields are often unplayable during wet weather and require significant downtime for maintenance, which greatly limits their availability for practice and matches.2. Overuse: High demand for limited fields leads to overuse, causing further degradation and reducing their usability.3. Safety Concerns: Poor field conditions, especially during adverse weather, pose safety risks to players. Following rain, the fields are left with uneven surfaces increasing the risk of injuries. Benefits of Artificial Sports Fields and Lighting1. Year-Round Accessibility: Artificial fields can withstand extreme weather conditions and heavy usage, ensuring they are always playable for learning sport and competing in sport.2. Reduced Maintenance: These fields require less maintenance than natural grass, translating into lower long-term maintenance costs and more consistent playing conditions.3. Environmental Sustainability: Modern artificial fields are designed to be eco-friendly, conserving water and eliminating the need for pesticides or fertilizers. No carbon-emitting tractors or mowers or fertilisers required on an ongoing basis.4. Enhanced Safety: Improved surface consistency reduces injury risks, making sports safer for our youth and adult players. 5. Community Engagement: Increased field availability can host more community events, leagues, and tournaments, encouraging greater participation in sports and physical activities.6. Economic Development: Increased opportunities for South Island or national sporting tournaments that require turf. Proposed ImplementationWe propose the development of two high-quality artificial turf fields, complete with advanced lighting systems, in northwest Nelson City. This strategic location will serve football and rugby club members and also the surrounding communities, enhancing access for all residents. We take guidance and reference from the Nelson City Council Artificial Turf Feasibility Study RSL May 2020. The location at Guppy and Neale parks is strategically positioned to leverage the Council’s existing investment in improved lighting, the club hub and the existing facilities, and will help facilitate future sporting-community-driven investment in Guppy and Neale parks. Financial ConsiderationsWe note the proposal in the LTP to reduce field maintenance of other fields that aren’t artificially turfed. We would caution against this approach, due to the extensive game and training cancellations and player injuries that are experienced due to poor quality fields currently. We acknowledge the substantial investment required for this project and propose exploring a combination of funding avenues: Council Funding: Allocation from the LTP. Grants and Sponsorships: Leveraging support from local businesses and sports organizations. Community Fundraising: Engaging the local community through fundraising initiatives. We are confident the share of the cost from the sporting codes can be successfully raised. ConclusionThe investment in artificial sports fields and lighting in northwest Nelson City represents a pivotal advancement in community and sports development. By addressing the current limitations, we can significantly enhance the quality of life and health of our residents, ensure the longevity of local sports, and foster a thriving community spirit.We thank the Nelson City Council for including artificial turf as a project in the LTP and thank you for considering this submission. We look forward to contributing towards a dynamic and inclusive future for Nelson City.Sincerely,Philip ThompsonPresident FC Nelson
Option 2	again this is a great idea however the budget blow out on something like this will be ridiculous- the management and the running of soemthing like this is again unfortunately what happens - its someones mate that will end up with the project that provides a nice little back hander to one of the councillors - the reality is Nelson building and planning team couldn’t organise there way out of a wet paper bag