Frustration as netball court upgrades put on hold again

The committee running the region’s largest netball centre is frustrated and “heartbroken” after long-promised repairs to the Wellsford courts were again delayed by Auckland Council.

More than 15 representatives from Netball Rodney Centre, Netball Northern and several local teams packed into this month’s Rodney Local Board meeting to ask for help to ensure their 700-plus members have courts to play on next season.

Members heard that despite working closely with council on plans to convert the old tennis courts for netball and being promised that would happen, initially in 2023 and then again this spring, Netball Rodney had been told last month there was no money available.

Centre president Kelly Ayres was close to tears as she voiced their frustration at having to watch first their original six courts deteriorate beyond use and now the repurposed tennis courts as well.

“Council originally confirmed that full redevelopment of the old tennis courts was planned for the summer of 2023. This was delayed, as the scope of works was larger than anticipated and was due to take place in spring this year, to be ready for the next year’s season,” she said.

“We have unfortunately just been advised that this has been delayed again due to funding restraints.”

She said the centre appreciated that council had cleaned up and line-marked the four old tennis courts for netball, but that was only ever a temporary measure and the surface was now hazardous.

“They’ve become a health and safety issue. We’ve used them for two years, but they have caused significant injuries,” she said. “We’d like some temporary surface work to make it safe to play.”

The meeting heard that of the six original netball courts at Centennial Park, only two were now playable, due to years of damage from water draining under the surface, causing cracks and ground movement.

“Netball Rodney has spent significant time and dollars over the years to maintain the courts, it is unfortunately a losing battle for us because we can’t change the ground underneath the courts.”

With the tennis courts now also deteriorating and their redevelopment being pulled, the committee was urgently seeking a solution so teams could keep playing next year.

“It’s disheartening, really disheartening. We have over 700 players and really good support, but we will lose members if we can’t play here,” Ayres said. “I have a lady behind me who has been on our committee for 40 years … it has broken our hearts.

“We just need the reassurance from council that next year we will get our courts.”

Wellsford board member Colin Smith asked if they had considered surrendering their lease, which potentially could make funding improvements more straightforward.

“My concern is what control would we have if we relinquish – there’s some mistrust of council,” Ayres said. “We want to make sure it benefits all of us, not just the council. We want to make sure that we actually get some benefit out of relinquishing that lease. We’ve spent a lot of money there.”