Tauranga City’s new indoor courts are about to open on Cameron Rd and the community can get ready to reap the benefits.

This Saturday, May 10, from 10am-2pm, the University of Waikato Haumaru Sport & Recreation Centre will hold a big public open day.

Bay Venues spokesperson Scott Yeoman said the open day will feature free activities and games, have-a-go sports sessions, food trucks and plenty of fun for the kids, including a special play area with an inflatable slide.

Named ‘Haumaru’, the facility will be home to a wide range of community sports including basketball, volleyball, pickleball, badminton, netball and more.

Yeoman said Haumaru will help to host large sports tournaments that come to the city, such as AIMS Games.

The venue has a capacity of 1500 people. Photo / Ayla Yeoman

“There will be opportunities for casual bookings and court hire, as well as recreational activities for local schools and the wider community.

“This will include Tumble Time play sessions for preschoolers and their parents during weekdays.”

The centre has four basketball-size courts with maple hardwood sports flooring from Canada. The size creates enough room for three netball courts, or 13 pickleball/badminton, or six volleyball courts.

“For large tournaments, we can change the line markings to increase the number of badminton/pickleball courts to 17,” said Yeoman.

Curtains can be hung between courts for tournaments.

“The name ‘Haumaru’ was gifted by mana whenua. The name has local significance and also relates to health and wellbeing, which fits with the active sport and recreation activities that will take place in this facility,” said Yeoman.

The Warehouse to indoor courts

The building was originally owned and operated as The Warehouse. The retail store closed last year after the property was purchased by Tauranga City Council to convert into a multi-purpose sport and recreation centre.

Te Papa ward councillor Rod Taylor said initially the plan was to build a brand-new indoor court facility of this scale at Memorial Park, which was estimated to cost more than $40 million.

Yeoman said the total cost of this venue to Tauranga City Council and Bay Venues was about $28m.

“Talking about being The Warehouse, we really did get a bargain,” said Taylor. “It’s a win-win really.”

Yeoman said the $20m price tag includes the price of the land, the building, all improvements and construction work and all equipment.

“Not only does this development save more than $10m but the city now also owns a new piece of land in downtown Tauranga that it didn’t have before, which had been valued at $12.5m.”

There are still a few finishing touches being done before the venue opens officially for the Community Fun Day on Saturday. Photo / Scott Yeoman

Tauranga City Council purchased the property early-2024.

“The construction time – after prep works, demolition and consenting – was about six months,” said Yeoman.

Bay Venues general manager of community facilities Paul Dunphy said when the centre was purchased it was still full of shelving from The Warehouse.

“We’ve taken everything out, made it one big open space, put a sports floor down, earthquake strengthened the building… refurbed it and made it usable.”

Demand for more courts

With a population growth of 40%, Taylor said there weren’t enough courts to serve the whole city.

Dunphy said his youngest child wasn’t able to play an indoor sport this year because the teams were full for his age group.

“This centre will have the space to create new classes and leagues so more people can play indoor sports.”

Yeoman said a group of adult basketballers have been wanting to create a master’s league, but haven’t had the courts.

“This will allow them to start.”

Haumaru will also help host large sports tournaments that come to the city. Photo / Scott Yeoman

“The unique thing with this one is it’s not a commercial area,” said Taylor. “It’s in the central city which is crucial to what we’re trying to do.”

The Cameron Rd improvement works have finished around the centre, meaning there is now a direct bus route and cycle lanes to the venue.

“There’s loads of schools down here too, and they’re loving it because they can just come across,” said Dunphy.

Impact on the area

Yeoman said council had visited nearby businesses with information about the new facility.

“They are really excited because they’re going to have hundreds of people in here playing sports, going to cafes, going to get some sushi, going to Pak’n Save. They’re really excited about it as well.”

There are 220 on-site carparks, including 170 underground, 40 in the upper carpark, and 10 on-street car parks in front of the venue which are restricted to an hour.

Dunphy said the on-site parking will be free for venue users. Non-venue users have to pay for use.

He said this means commuters will have access to around 170 more paid parking spots in the CBD.

Amenities include 15 public toilets on the ground floor with four accessible bathrooms with toilets and showers, plus a tournament room and two changing rooms with two showers in each.

There is an accessible ramp into the venue from 10th Ave, accessible parking both in upper and underground carparks, an accessible ramp from the underground carpark, and four accessible bathrooms with toilets and showers.

Bay Venues general manager of community facilities Paul Dunphy taking a shot before the open day on Saturday. Photo / Ayla Yeoman

Open day

The opening of The University of Waikato Haumaru Sport & Recreation Centre is a free Community Fun Day on Saturday, May 10 from 10am-2pm at 483 Cameron Rd.

Haumaru will begin operating May with a fully booked schedule two terms in advance – and will open 9am-9.30pm weekdays and 9am-6pm weekends.

The facility will be managed by Bay Venues on behalf of council. The University of Waikato is a naming rights sponsor.

The future of Memorial Park and whether a new aquatic centre will be built there is currently being considered by Tauranga City Council.

QEYC will remain open and operating in the meantime,” said Yeoman.