27 September 2010
Potential velodrome court layout unveiled
Stadium Southland has rolled out concept plans for an international calibre wooden court in its ILT Velodrome.
General manager Nigel Skelt said the proposed seating and court layout presented some exciting options.
“We are continuing to work closely with both the Southern Steel and Southland Sharks franchises and actually seeing the vision graphically on paper is an important step as we look to finalise plans,” he said.
“There are great viewing positions and the idea of a fan zone around the rim of the velodrome has also been mooted – the atmosphere would be superb.
“And the possibly of courtside tables further enhances the experience for valued sponsors.”
For training sessions and regular use, the portable floor would be placed over one of the existing courts, but on game day it would be spun 90 degrees and the run-off area increased to meet international standards.
“It will truly transform into a centre stage from which our teams can battle it out against rivals from throughout the country and, in the case of the Steel, across the Tasman,” Skelt said.
The proposed seating configuration could bring capacity up to around 2700.
While shipping a court from Singapore remained an option, Skelt had discovered another court which could be sourced closer to home.
“There is a brand-new court available from Auckland and we are investigating the viability of that at the moment and hope to make a decision in the next few days,” Skelt said.
Southland Basketball general manager Jill Bolger said the future of its Southland Sharks NBL franchise rested with the velodrome concept.
“That floor is the definite answer for us … we’re excited to keep our Sharks in front of our already mad crowd,” she said.
“It will be different but I’m sure we can create a fantastic atmosphere. We’re working closely with the national NBL board and they are very supportive of what we are trying to achieve.”
News of Stadium Southland’s demise had reached Sharks players competing in other leagues at present and “rattled a few nerves”.
“Some of them have been a bit anxious and phoning but we’ve been able to reassure them that it is still all go … they just really want to play after getting a taste of it this season,” Bolger said.
Faced with being homeless just over a week ago, Skelt’s determination had helped rescue the Sharks franchise from an uncertain future.
“I can’t speak highly enough of him. He’s been really positive about making it happen and he actually has – it’s amazing what a bit of Kiwi ingenuity can do,” Bolger said.
