Saxton Field
Committee
Agenda – 06 August 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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6
August 2024
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Report
Author:
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Rob
Coleman, Reserves Officer - Recreation and Systems
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Report
Authorisers:
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Grant
Reburn, Reserves and Facilities Manager
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Report
Number:
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RSFC24-08-1
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1.1 The
purpose of this report is to provide the Saxton Field 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.
That the Saxton Field
Committee
1. receives the report, RSFC24-08-1.
Development
Plan
3.1 The
development plan will be presented to the Committee for approval at the next
meeting on 5 November 2024, when the final activity management plan will also
be presented for adoption.
Inclusive Playground
3.2 Stakeholders
have now been informed that this is a Tasman District Council project and that
it will be led by Tasman District Council.
3.3 Richmond
Ward Councillors have agreed to contribute an additional $900,000 in 2026/27
from the Richmond Ward Reserves Financial Contributions (RFC’s) towards
an inclusive play area ‘subject to the project being sited on Tasman
District Council owned land at Saxton Field’ (south of Saxton Creek).
“agrees to
provide from Richmond Ward Reserves Financial Contributions, a $900,000
contribution in Year 3 to the Saxton Field inclusive playground, subject to the
project being sited on Tasman District Council land at Saxton Field;”
TDC LTP Deliberations 23rd May 2024
3.4 The
agreed budget for the Play Facilities is as follows:
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2024/2025
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2025/2026
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2026/2027
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TOTAL
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Y1
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Y2
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Y3
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35,000
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311,356
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1,150,000
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1,496,356
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3.5 Location
options on Champion Green are under consideration, please see Appendix 1.
3.6 Please
also refer to the Saxton LTP Capital Budget in Appendix 2.
Entrance
Development
3.7 A
hui was held with Te Ohu Toi Ahurea to discuss the project. The group was
interested in iwi history of the site and understanding stories of the area to
help guide decisions on whether a Toi Māori entrance is appropriate.
Further information can be provided to the Saxton Field Committee following an
arts hui later in July.
Saxton
Stadium Renewals
3.8 In
2024/25, the plan for the basketball hoop renewal is to be carried out. This
will involve design and consenting requirements so that the hoops can be
installed in 2026/27. There will also need to be a discussion with suppliers
and contractors to confirm an adequate budget for the work.
3.9 Basketball
will not be asked to pay a portion of the costs given the hoops provide benefit
to all stadium users and the stadium contractor, and not solely basketball
clubs and players.
Saxton
Oval Drainage and Surface Renewal
3.10 An
assessment from a turf specialist is planned to advise on next steps. Any work
needs to be completed outside of the cricket season, ideally in autumn, to
allow for grass growth before the next season.
3.11 The
turf specialist will advise on the best timing and next steps for the project,
and this will be reported back to the Committee.
Sand Storage
3.12 This
project is now complete, and the storage facility is in use. The project also
involved chip sealing the driveway to indoor cricket/rifle shooting.
General
Development
3.13 Items
completed in 2023/24 under the general development budget included the shed for
the cricket covers and renewal of some streetlights.
3.14 Items
planned for the 2024/25 financial year include the following, but more
investigation is required:
· Hockey
fencing
· Bollards
· If
required, any safety enhancements to the roading; and
· Steps
to Avery Field
Skate Park
3.15 Officers
have been working with Skate Nelson Bays who are fully engaged in the skate
park process. Skate Nelson Bays are currently arranging ground investigation
works to determine the most suitable site and procurement options.
3.16 A
communications plan will be developed shortly.
3.17 Further
updates will be provided to the Committee as the project develops.
Saxton
Culvert upgrade
3.18 The
contractor’s compound at the back of Saxton Field, near athletics and
archery is planned for reinstatement in July. The area will be landscaped to
facilitate future conversion into an informal picnic area and allow the path to
continue through the space.
Future
projects
3.19 Nelson
Hockey has been in contact with officers to discuss upcoming hockey renewal
projects. This includes turf two renewal (2026/27) and turf one renewal
(2028/29). Hockey suggests that turf two is in more urgent need of renewal than
2026/27. A turf specialist will be engaged to provide a review of condition and
plan for renewal.
3.20 Hockey
is also interested in enhanced lighting for turf two (turf one lighting was
enhanced in 2022) and will likely approach the Committee with further details
about this.
3.21 The
Sandpit Incorporated made a Long-Term Plan (LTP) submission requesting space at
Saxton Field be allocated. Officers have met with the submitter to talk more
about their needs, requirements and location.
Netball
roofing
3.22 Following
LTP submissions, officers will meet with Netball to understand the next steps
for the Netball roofing feasibility study.
Maintenance
4.1 During 2023/24 there were
several water leaks and irrigation repairs. A leak detection survey has been
carried out and will inform a programme of future repairs.
Condition
assessments
4.2 Condition
assessments on Nelson City Council owned buildings were carried out in 2023/24
and will inform a programme of maintenance and renewals on the buildings.
Vehicles
through Saxton Field
4.3 There
have been reports of vehicles driving on some fields. This seems to be an
annual occurrence, especially after rainfall when the grass becomes slippery
and vulnerable to potentially lasting and costly damage. Investigations
are underway about possible solutions, including new bollards.
4.4 There
have been several reports of vehicles driving too fast through Saxton
Field. Frequently, staff witness vehicles using excessive speed between
the Oval, Main Road Stoke and Champion Road.
4.5 There
are speed reduction humps and raised crossings between the Oval and the
entrance/exits from Saxton Road East. There are no traffic calming
measures between the Champion Road and Main Road Stoke entrance/exits and the
Oval.
4.6 Staff
at both councils will investigate options and costs with their colleagues in
their respective Transport teams and further details will be reported back to
the Committee when available.
4.7 Netball
Nelson have contacted us raising concerns over road safety around Kerry
Marshall Drive and Saxton Road East, as follows:
Road safety for members coming to Nelson Netball Centre.
The corner of Saxton Road East and Saxton Way is becoming very
dangerous. When pulling out from the Saxton Way onto Saxton Road East the
visibility looking right is very poor.
There was a significant accident there on 22 June, involving several
Nelson Netball members, and since then there have been several more
near-misses.
This was discussed at our Board Meeting on Tuesday earlier this week
and we thought it important to raise this in case you are unaware. It would be
most appreciated if this could be investigated.
We feel that the street parking on the left-hand side of Saxton Road
East in-between Kerry Marshall Drive and Saxton Way needs to be reduced or
removed from that small portion of the road completely to improve visibility of
oncoming traffic.
We also have concerns for pedestrians crossing Saxton Road East.
With limited parking inside Saxton Field complex people are parking on Covent
Drive and Kingsford Drive and walking across Saxton Road East to come to
netball. Again, several near misses on Saturday morning.
Is there opportunity for a pedestrian crossing to be installed or
some other measure to make it easier for people to cross the road.
Winter
Sports
4.8 Winter
sports at Saxton Field are underway with two ground closures for wet weather to
date this season.
4.9 Nelson
Suburbs are making good use of both Champion Green and Avery Field for junior
games.
4.10 Netball
Nelson have raised concerns over the quantity of repairs needed to the flooring
of the indoor netball courts, and the resulting court closures and effects it
is having on the scheduling and re-scheduling of games.
4.11 The
repairs have been carried out and a future project to replace the basketball
hoops with wall mounted hoops will reduce the amount of floor damage received.
4.12 As
well as this, in 2027/28 the LTP provides for $211,536 for Netball Surface
Renewal.
Contracts
4.13 Officers
have completed a contract with existing Venues contractor Community Leisure
Management Limited (CLM) for Nelson Venues, which will include the Saxton Oval
and Pavilion from 29 July. This is a 3 + 3-year contract.
4.14 The
decision to include the Oval and Pavilion in the Venues contract was made to
better align the types of events under each contract.
Saxton
Contract
4.15 Officers
have signed a separate contract with CLM for Saxton Stadium, Netball Stadium
and other areas covered by the existing contract (minus the Oval and Pavilion).
4.16 Resident
sporting code usage, local and regional sporting events, and events which
increase participation in sport and recreation are prioritised.
4.17 This
contract was terminated on 30/6/2024, but a short-term contract with the
previous contract holder was needed due to delays in the process. This was
agreed to by all parties.
4.18 The
new contract will also be a 3 + 3-year term. Representatives from
the new contractor, CLM, will be available after the meeting to meet with the
Committee members.
Saxton Field Website
4.19 The
Saxton Field website had a huge increase in overall users (up 33.5%) in
the last six months compared to the previous six months. The biggest increase
in traffic was on 20 June 2024 with 113 users viewing the website.
· Recreation – views to the outdoor
fitness centre, sports practice and Learn to Ride all had an increase of
over 90%
· Sports –views to the target
shooting, basketball and track cycling all had an increase of over 90% (track
cycling had an increase of views of 230%.)
· Venues – Saxton Oval Pavilion and
Stadium had the highest amount of views however the athletics track, Football
Pavilion, Champion Green, Archery Field and Velodrome all had an increase of
over 100%.
· Most
traffic comes directly from a Google search, but the website is still getting
several clicks through the Sport Tasman, Nelson City Council Venues, Nelson
City Council and Facebook websites.
Radio
New Zealand Land
4.20 A
separate report will discuss this matter when more information is available.
Activity
Management Plan and Long Term Plan
4.21 Submissions
received on the Long Term Plans of each Council that are relevant to Saxton
Field were presented to the Committee for consideration in the May 2024 report.
These recommendations were passed on to both Councils to approve.
4.22 The
proposed budgets were approved by the Councils with one minor change; the
netball feasibility study not being approved by Nelson City Council.
4.23 In
addition, Tasman District Council has agreed to provide additional funding for
the inclusive playground, as discussed in the Capital Projects Update in
section 3.1.
4.24 Revised
LTP Capital Budget is in Appendix 2.
Alcohol
Advertising
4.25 On
16 April 2024 the Saxton Field Committee adopted draft amendments to the Saxton
Field Reserve Management Plan (SFRMP) in relation to alcohol advertising.
4.26 The
proposed amendments were publicly advertised on 6 May 2024 and a public
consultation period was open until 24 May 2024.
4.27 150
submissions were received, including one late submission that was tabled and
accepted at the hearing which was held on 7 June 2024.
4.28 The
Joint Committee passed the recommendation from the Saxton Field Committee at a
meeting on 9 July. The resolution was as follows:
That the Joint Committee of
Tasman District and Nelson City Councils
1. Adopts in accordance with
Section 41 of the Reserves Act 1977, and Part 6 of the Local Government Act
2002, the amendments to the Saxton Field Reserve Management Plan as set out in
Attachment 2 (196698121-57920) of Report R28537; and
2. Notes the recommendation
from Te Whatu Ora and Alcohol Healthwatch that the councils consider updating
the Nelson Tasman Regional Alcohol Strategy 2006; and
3. Notes the recommendation
from Alcohol Healthwatch that the councils advocate for policy change that
enables local government to better reduce alcohol marketing exposure in their
environments; and
4. Requests both Mayors from
Tasman District and Nelson City Councils write a letter to New Zealand Cricket
expressing the desire to retain international cricket within the region.
Lighting
4.29 Nelson
Suburbs Football is investigating installing floodlights on Champion Green and
replacing the existing flood lighting on the No.1 Pitch. More details
are being sought.
Avery
Field
4.30 We’ve
received reports of people falling on the grassy bank alongside the new shared
pathway that runs along the top of Avery Field. Staff are exploring
options including whether to provide steps or reduce the slope angle down to
the playing surface. Further information will be provided to the Committee in
due course.
Hockey
4.31 There
have been reports of balls hitting parked cars. Signage is being installed on
the fence, and improved fencing is being investigated.
5.1 Recently
Held Events
· 18 May – Southern League Football (Suburbs vs Ferrymead bays)
· 30 May – St Paul’s School cross country
· 16 June – Cyclocross
· 22 June –
Athletics Nelson Cross Country Championships
5.2 Upcoming
Events
· October
– Spring Challenge
· November
– Nelson Half
· January
2025 - Central Districts T20 Super Smash Double Header – Stags &
Hinds
· January
2025 - Central Districts T20 Super Smash Double Header – Stags &
Hinds
5.3 International
Cricket
· Thursday 2nd
January - BLACKCAPS vs. Sri Lanka T20
· Friday 7th March -
WHITEFERNS vs. Sri Lanka – 2nd ODI
· Sunday 9th March -
WHITEFERNS vs. Sri Lanka – 3rd ODI
Park Run
5.4 A
group is working to establish a Park Run at Saxton Field and have completed a
trail on 20 July 2024. It is a free 5km run with the focus on participation and
is planned for 8am on Saturdays. Staff are working with the group to determine
whether Saxton Field, or another site is the best location for this regular
event.
Nil.
7.1 The
next Saxton Field Committee meeting is scheduled for 5 November 2024
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1.⇩
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Apendix
1 - Site Location options for Saxton playground
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11
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2.⇩
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Appendix
2 - Revised LTP Capital Expenditure
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12
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