Spectating in Wellington/Hutt.

Are any of you, like me, wondering when we will ever get covered/sheltered spectator 'facilities' at some of our parks?

Those of you with longer memories, do you know if the clubs have ever approached councils about creating/partnering/asking for spectators to be included in thinking?

By way of example. My first local match at Te Whiti Park was back in 1970. Nothing has been done for spectators there since then.

I wouldn't want the green space to be ruined by any sort of structure. 

their budgets are  better spent elsewhere I guess ie turfs, under-sewing, sand basing. 

Would need the club to front with the $

Point well missed Aces.

When the artificial surface at Mem Pk Petone was opened Richard Reid said that this was just another stage of the Memorial Park Development, without elaborating. There is the opportunity to cover the seating in front of the changing rooms that would not obstruct the view from the CF Offices or Referees rooms, but nothing has been confirmed. There is also the area directly in front of the Petone FC balcony that could accomodate covered seating again without obstructing view from the balcony.

This ground was one of three in NZ, the others being in North Shore and English park in CHCH, that FIFA had contributed to as being the hubs of football throughout the country. Already several youth and womens tournaments and training schools have been run there. Maybe there is thought of developing the facilites for higher level games in the future.

not sure anywhere really warrants covered seating. The only games that get a bit of a crowd is TDub

covered seating causes many issues for councils so they avoid it if possible…...

Upper Hutt has built an awesome deck in front of their club rooms! The Parapine Platform !

Sounds great. Those trees were bloody annoying when I was there last, and I thought it was a shame because the view would be great if they weren't there. And it wouldn't be Upper Hutt football without banter being thrown from the balcony, so am very glad that is completed! 

Hopefully can make it to a game or 2 this season to check it out. 

Theres still more for Wakefield planned going by the original plans for the ground. The whole changing rooms/club rooms area is (was) supposed to be moved up the length of the number 1 along the south side, with potential for covered pitch side viewing areas. The existing changing rooms/club rooms was to be turned into car parking. Whether or not theyre continuing with these plans though, i dont know.

Those plans were part of a stand-alone project proposed by IBU. The council did favour Wakefield due to the planning that had been done however they did not take on the original plans - just installed the pitches. If the clubrooms were to be renovated/moved it would likely be an expensive and lengthy council process driven by IBU if the club 'came into some money'.

Not sure if I really 'endorse THIS' just saw the button and wanted to PUSH it #LIKE

I despair...  (I think this is sort of on topic...)

I was wondering why the far side of the artificial at Memorial Park still has a drop down to some gravel. So I asked... 

Naenae clubrooms, you can watch games from the bar.

Central League and Chatham Cup games at Wakefield get decent crowds. Could fit some more seating around the embankment around Wakefield 2. Southern end would do wonders with any sort of shelter.

Hopefully Fraser Park Sportsville development will put in some covered areas, but I don't know what is planned apart from pitch upgrades.

No covered seating planned for Fraser Park Sportsville

Good thing it never rains in the Hutt then. 

From Trevor Mallard, MP for Hutt South. We were discussing spectating at local sport in the Hutt.

Did anyone see this? http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/the-wellingtonian/9899109/Don-t-cry-for-these-Argentinians

...so why do we persist with our model?

Petone could do well by putting something in to stand on for viewing football on the far side of the pitch.
At the moment it's unfinished mess with fence.

Some trees to hide under at Hutt park would be great when the wind is blowing across the pitch.

Couple of other grounds could do with some work.

Don't need covered seating. Just somewhere to stand/sit out of the wind/rain.
Single terrace with a wall would be a great start at some of the grounds.

Hello there,

Just by way of comparison, my cub in Hamilton (Melville United) this year constructed new dugouts for our No 2 pitch. Using club members' and supporters' labour and skills, and donation of materials in some cases, we were able to get two roomy steel-framed dugouts, complete with signage and perspex sides, completed for under $1000. These are heavy, but nominally portable, and designed by a couple of our club members, welded by a mate of a committee member, with fabrication material donated, and signange done by a club sponsor.

The paved area underneath was completed using second-hand pavers recycled from Hamilton Lake walkway upgrade just up the road.

(it looks a bit rough around the edges in this photo with the work still being done earlier on the day of the match).

These dugouts were to complement our more elaborate No 1 pitch dugouts, which we believe are among the better equipped around the northern clubs. They feature fold-down seats with backs, acquired from Eden Park during its refurbishment, and can cater for covered seating for 11 from each side plus a 4th official's dugout. A mural background on fabricated steel combines the benches.

In both instances, there was no council investment, nor, indeed, even any grant funding. But what was encouraging was that once people saw someone had a vision, the buy-in and willingness of club members and others to make it happen was exceptionally good. Indeed, the most challenging bit was probably establishing that initial vision of what was possible.

When the council saw there was no cost to themselves, staff were delighted to assist with something that would improve the amenity value of the park.

As an aside, in 2011 we constructed five terraced seating units for the No 1 pitch, which cost over $50,000. They required engineering plans, resource consent, and ongoing public liability insurance. But they have made a world of difference.

Hope this helps.