Rangiora’s MainPower Stadium is more than just a sports facility, North Canterbury Sport and Recreation Trust chief executive Michael Sharpe says. More than 51,000 people walk through the doors each month, he says. 

They represent both visitors and locals, taking part in a number of sporting codes, but community groups and organisations also meet there, and individuals visit for the good of their health and treatment, he says. 

‘‘We do get people who think this facility is just for sports, but we have conference facilities and meeting rooms. 

‘‘We have gardening clubs, friendship groups and other regular users, and these groups are pretty passionate about being here.’’ 

Mr Sharpe was responding to allegations from the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union, which described the facility as ‘‘a gold-plated gym that ratepayers can’t afford’’. 

‘‘Waimakariri ratepayers were sold a vision of a community facility, not a bottomless pit of costs,’’ the union’s investigations co-ordinator Rhys Hurley said. 

The Taxpayers’ Union noted it was costing ratepayers $2.4m a year, or $80 a year when divided across 30,000 ratepayers. 

Residents have taken to social media to express their views on the stadium, with the majority in support of the venue. 

MainPower Stadium was built by the Waimakariri District Council at a cost of $28m, opening in August 2021. 

The council’s $2.4m annual costs includes $1m to pay interest on the $28m loan, while the council is funding depreciation of nearly $1m.

Operating expenses this year were nearly $400,000, which is offset by the council’s revenue of $200,000 from the facility. 

The trust leases the gym, cafe, office space and Active Health facilities from the council, while managing the sports courts and conference facilities, earning its income from gym memberships and the cafe.

‘‘We facilitate the courts on behalf of the council,’’ Mr Sharpe said. 

‘‘We have a unique relationship in the way we run it with the council,’’ the trust’s marketing and facility maintenance manager Tony Kean said. 

The stadium hosts a number of regional and national events, including basketball and pickleball tournaments, and the North Canterbury Youth Futures Careers Expo. 

Events coming up include the National Dog Show, the Leisure Marching Nationals and two charity boxing events. 

The Tactix netball team played at the stadium this season, while the Crusaders rugby team also occasionally trains there. Regular users of the sports courts include North Canterbury Basketball, local netball clubs, Pickleball North Canterbury, korfball teams, Mainland Football and Waimak Football, Canterbury Volleyball, North Canterbury Rugby, Rangiora High School, Southern Disability Wheelchair Basketball, Gosal Futsal Academy, boccia players, cheerleaders, marching groups and Friday sports competitions. 

Groups using the conference and meeting rooms, including friendship clubs, sports clubs, garden clubs, a dog show committee, Rangiora Toastmasters, local school principals, St John Fellowship, Rangiora Ukelele Group, sign language classes, road safety education, Anzco Meat Company farmers’ meetings, training and seminars, local fire brigades, cultural groups, exercise classes and the council.

-LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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