The first ceremonial sod in what will be the country’s next sports hall of fame has been turned.
It paves the way for what will be an 1800 square metre addition to the Grassroots Trust Velodrome.
Cambridge Middle School’s Emily Cameron, Ellie Kinnear and Nina Davies-Colley prepare for their competition winning ride.
The News has reported the cost of the project had been estimated at $8.2 million last November and $3 million had been raised. Grassroots Trust committed $1.1 million plus $300,000 for operating support.
The hall of fame is moving north from Dunedin and the sod turning ceremony was held on the day it celebrated its 10th anniversary – and staged a battle of the schools event.
“As we close on our first decade, we are thrilled to begin our second with a turning of the sod for the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame,” Home of Cycling charitable trust chair Simon Perry said.
Quoting the late Sir Peter Snell, he said “the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame is a marvellous place for the champions of tomorrow to be inspired by the champions of yesterday.”
The hall would feature a futuristic and interactive exhibit, and building will start in the next few month.
The trust is budgeting on 30,000 visitors a year and a $10 entrance fee.
MP Louise Upston and Simon Perry with the ceremonial sod turning.
Also at the weekend event were Taupō MP Louise Upston, Waikato Regional Counicl chair Pamela Storey and velodrome general manager Dion Merson.
The open day from 9am to noon featured have-a-go track and trike sessions including paracycling, behind-the-scenes tours, meeting members of the Olympic team, gym and active sessions and face painting.
More than 150 pupils from 14 schools took part in the Battle of the Schools and teams of three raced for three laps.
The Cambridge Middle School 2 team of Ellie Kinnear, Emily Cameron and Nina Davies-Colley won the event, averaging a speed of almost 42kmh for the course.
An artist’s impression of how the new sports hall of fame will look.
