CORPORATE PROFILE
The successful completion of Stadium Southland in March 2000 signified the end of several years of effort by many enthusiastic and dedicated Southlanders, who had the vision to build a high-quality, multi-purpose indoor facility which would serve a wide range of recreational, sporting and cultural needs.
A committee, formed in 1996 to drive the stadium project, was spearheaded by the Invercargill Licensing Trust, and led by its Chairman Ray Harper. Other committee members included representatives from the Community Trust of Southland, the Southland Building Society, the Invercargill City Council, the Southland District Council, the Southern Institute of Technology and Mr H W Richardson.
The group was responsible for all aspects of the development and took the project through to completion over a five-year period. Their tasks involved community consultation with sporting, cultural and educational organisations, overseeing the building project (including the planning and design of the facility), its location, and the all-important issues of fundraising and financial management.
Funding was secured before work commenced on the building project and the facility opened debt-free. The Invercargill Licensing Trust donated $5 million from its reserves and the Community Trust of Southland added another $4 million. The Lotteries Board provided $1 million and the Southland Building Society supplied the balance of $1.5 million along with the Southland District Council and Mr H W Richardson.
Officially opened by then Prime Minister Helen Clark in March 2000, the stadium featured a decidedly different design from the original concept of a two-court elite events centre. With five community courts, four squash courts and two additional courts with sprung wooden floors, plus a wide range of state-of-the-art facilities, Stadium Southland had the capacity to provide for almost any kind of recreational, sporting, cultural or arts event that the local community wished to experience. It continues to be recognised as one of the most successful indoor venues in New Zealand.
Another milestone occurred in May 2006 when a further four community courts were added to the existing facility, along with New Zealand’s first indoor international cycling velodrome.
The four courts were laid in a Rebound Ace synthetic surface, with the timber for the 250m track being Siberian Pine. The track took eight weeks to complete and the total facility 14 months. A sports administration block was also added, along with several retail outlets, including a physiotherapist, Health 4 U Centre and a sports restringing business.
The new complex cost $10.2 million and was principally funded by the Invercargill Licensing Trust with $5 million, Community Trust of Southland $1.6 million, Central Government $1 million, with the remainder from National Funding Agencies and community fundraising.
Stadium Southland was now the most diverse multi-purpose sporting facility in New Zealand. In 2005/2006 the venue hosted 82 events, surpassing its previous highest of 67 events in 2004/2005.
In September, 2010, Mother Nature dealt a cruel blow to the southern region, unleashing the heaviest snowfall seen in decades. Stadium Southland’s roof was a casualty of the wintery blast, suffering extensive damage to its main arena and seven community courts.
As a result, the Velodrome has been transformed into a unique multi-purpose venue to ensure the needs of its community – and those venturing to the Deep South to stage events – continue to be met.
Stadium Southland is governed by the Southland Indoor Leisure Charitable Trust as owners of the building, and the Stadium Southland Board of Directors.
SOUTHLAND INDOOR LEISURE CENTRE CHARITABLE TRUST
Acton Smith (Chair), Alan Dennis (Deputy Chair), Shona Richardson, John McDowell, Greg Mulvey, David Adamson, Wayne Harpur, Peter Kett, Denis Woods
STADIUM SOUTHLAND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Bruce Middleton (Chair), Gary Muir, Karen Moore, David Main, Julie Shirley
<< Back to About Us Page
