Saxton Field
Committee
Agenda – 27 February 2024
7 Reports
7.1
Saxton Field
Activity Report
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Report
To:
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Saxton
Field Committee
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Meeting
Date:
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27
February 2024
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Report
Author:
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Jane
Loughnan, Parks and Facilities Asset Planner
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Report
Authorisers:
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Richard
Kirby, Group Manager - Community Infrastructure, Andrew White, Group Manager
Community Services
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Report
Number:
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RSFC24-02-1
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1. Purpose of Report
1.1 The
purpose of this report is to provide the Committee with an update on capital
projects, events, and operational activities at Saxton Field.
1.2 It
is provided to ensure the Committee is kept up to date about developments,
activities, and issues at Saxton Field.
2. Recommendation
That the Saxton Field
Committee
1. receives the Saxton Field Activity Report RSFC24-02-1.
3. Capital Projects
Path
Development
3.1 The
most recent path developed is a 2m wide gravel path running behind Archery,
Softball and Hockey connecting the carpark off Saxton Road East to the footpath
along the Saxton Stream. This work is now completed.
3.2 Any
underspend from this project will be used in the budget to seal the driveway
leading to Indoor Cricket and Target Shooting.
Inclusive Playground
3.3 An
initial hui was held in December, attended by a group of stakeholders that had
shown interest in the project. Stakeholders represented members of the
community that have disabilities and included representatives from Blind Low
Vision New Zealand, Ministry of Disabled People and parents of children with a
disability. The initial hui covered background information on the project,
draft Long Term Plan budgets and discussion around accessible playground
development generally. The group showed interest in being involved in the
concept design process and had examples of other playground developments across
the country that had been successful as well as ideas for small design features
that make a big difference to accessibility. The group strongly supported the
project and was grateful for the opportunity to be involved. Further input will
be sought from the group as the project progresses.
3.4 The
preferred site for the playground is between the Saxon Oval and the Pond.
Entrance
Development
3.5 This work has not yet progressed. Further
discussion with iwi is planned. Iwi input will be sought on an approach to
produce entrance artwork that falls within the following parameters:
· Entrance structure, which reflects the history of the site;
· Welcomes users to Saxton Field;
· Designed, constructed and installed within budget, including any
engineering requirements; and
· Ongoing maintenance requirements of the structure/structures are
low.
Saxton
Stadium Renewals
3.6 Basketball
hoops at the Stadium are budgeted through the Draft Long Term Plan and no work
will be carried out in 2023/24.
Wayfinding
3.7 The
wayfinding installation is now complete. The new wayfinding signs, including
maps, have been installed to replace the old signs. Three new signs have been
installed as part of the project at an area near Avery Field, Saxton Pond and
outside the Velodrome. Feedback from users new to Saxton Field has been
positive with comments to staff indicating how helpful they are.
Saxton Oval
3.8 Fibre
connection to the cricket block has now been completed.
3.9 Two
further CCTV cameras were installed to ensure monitoring of the changing room
entryways meets the requirements of New Zealand Cricket.
Baseball
3.10 Supplier
Polytan has visited and has developed designs and plans for Aerial Field. A
local fencing contractor has been engaged to provide a quote for a fence at the
Champion Green baseball area. The physical work is some years away so there
will be opportunity for input and further discussion prior to then.
Saxton Oval
Drainage and Surface Renewal
3.11 A
drainage clean was completed in 2022 and is performing well. This has been
further assessed through the cricket Warrant of Fitness assessments, with the
2022 assessment and 2023 assessment both identifying that a long term action is
replacing the lateral and slit drains. It is expected no further physical work
will be carried out this financial year, other than monitoring. An assessment
from a turf specialist is being sought to confirm this. Any work would need to
be undertaken outside of the cricket season. Budget in 2023/24 is likely going
to need to be carried forward.
Sand Storage
3.12 More
work is required to confirm the location and style of a facility for a sand
storage shed. The initially preferred location (between the Indoor Cricket and
Target Shooting building and the Football Pavilion), is difficult for large
trucks delivering sand to access and alternatives are being considered that
have easier access for large trucks, while still meeting the requirement of
easy access to the Oval for contractors. Costs are being sought for these
alternative locations. An update will be provided at the meeting, with the
budget in 2023/24 for the construction.
3.13 The
structure will be a simple concrete block or pre-cast concrete style.
3.14 No
budget has been spent on the project to date.
Accessibility
Improvements
3.15 There
is a budget of $20K every alternate year for accessibility improvements at
Saxton Field. Sport Tasman’s new Disability Advisor is being approached
to identify whether there are any specific updates required in 2023/24 at
Saxton Field. If not, the budget will be put towards the Inclusive Playground
project.
General Development
3.16 Each
year, a budget exists for general development at Saxton Field for minor items.
This year items being considered are:
· Shed for cricket covers
· Renewal of Saxton Oval Pavilion bathroom floor
· Sealing of the road to the Indoor Cricket/Target Shooting (dependent
on cost and available budget from pathways)
· Other minor development, as identified.
4. Operational activity
Access to
Velodrome
4.1 A
serious safety incident was reported in the underpass to the velodrome. The
site was assessed, and changes are being made. Further updates can be provided
at the meeting if required.
Contracts
4.2 The
Saxton Stadium Management Contract is due to expire in June. It will be
re-tendered prior to this date.
4.3 The
Nelson City Council (NCC) Venues Management and Marketing Contract is being
re-tendered currently and includes NCC venues (Trafalgar Centre and Halls). The
Saxton Oval Pavilion will be included as part of the new contract, instead of
being included in the Saxton Stadium Contract.
Leases
4.4 Bike
Hub Nelson have been occupying part of the old hockey softball pavilion at
Saxton Field on a temporary agreement. Now that they are established, they have
moved to a 5 year rental term, starting January 2024.
Saxton Field Website
4.5 The
Saxton Field website had a huge increase in overall users (up 20%) in
December. The biggest increase in traffic was on December 20 with 166 users
viewing the website.
4.5.1 Recreation – views to the kids playground, learn
to ride and picnics in the park all had an increase of 200%.
4.5.2 Sports – biggest views were on the cricket page
(49 users) which had an increase of over 276%. Other increases included track
cycling, other sports, and disc golf.
4.5.3 Venues – there were a total of 91 users on the
Saxton Oval Pavilion webpage (an increase of 127.5%). The Saxton Oval also had
an increase in users of over 166%.
4.6 Most
of the traffic to the website was via google search; however there was still a
reasonable amount of traffic from the Sport Tasman website, Saxton Lodge
website, Athletics Nelson website, Nelson City Council and Nelson City Council
Venues websites.
Radio New
Zealand Land
4.7 Discussions
with Radio New Zealand on the future of the site are underway and a report is
planned to be brought to the May meeting.
Activity Management Plan and
Long-Term Plan
4.8 A
draft Activity Management Plan was presented to the Committee at the last
meeting. The Activity Management Plan will be updated after the Long Term Plan
development process and presented to the Committee in November.
4.9 Submissions received on the
Long Term Plans of each Council that are relevant to Saxton Field will be
presented to the Committee for consideration.
Alcohol Advertising
4.10 An
exemption was granted for advertising alcohol for the Blackcaps and White Ferns
games in 2023/24. A workshop with the Committee to seek guidance on future
treatment of alcohol advertising is planned.
Covered Netball Courts
4.11 At
the time of writing, officers are proposing to meet with Nelson Netball about a
covered netball court. Further updates may be available at the Committee
meeting.
5. Events
Half Marathon
5.1 The
Nelson Half Marathon, 10km, 5km, and 2.5km fun run and walk was completed on 5
November 2023.
Cricket
5.2 Just
under 4,500 tickets were allocated for the One Day International between the
Blackcaps and Bangladesh at Saxton Oval on December 20. A debrief will take
place early in the new year.
5.3 Initial
feedback is positive. The venue looked impressive on television and was shown
around the world. Police reported no issues. St John Ambulance only reported a
few minor issues including three ankle roles, one bee sting, one splinter and
one person who felt faint. Dog Control also responded to a runaway dog
that tried to enter the venue during the match.
5.4 No
health and safety incidents were reported at the event. At a health and safety
debrief for the event, some learnings were identified. Staff are meeting with
the contractor to ensure any actions are addressed for the next games.
5.5 A
total of 88% of event waste was diverted from landfill.
5.6 The event was a successful
collaboration between Nelson Cricket, Central Districts Cricket, New Zealand
Cricket Nelson Regional Development Agency, Sport Tasman and Nelson City
Council.
5.7 The
White Ferns v England T20 is scheduled for 22 March 2024, and again on 24 March
2024.
5.8 Staff
will continue to work on improvements in preparation for the White Ferns T20
matches on 22 March 2024, and 24 March 2024.
6. Next meeting
6.1 The
next meeting of the Committee is scheduled for 17 May 2024.
2. Attachments
Nil
