Maori blessing kicks off new base for The Blues

Maori blessing kicks off new base for The Blues

A dawn Maori blessing and sod-turning at Alexandra Park this morning marked the beginning of construction of a high performance training and administration centre for Super 15 rugby club, The Blues.

Among attendees were Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust, Ngāi Tai Ki Tāmaki Tribal Trust, Ngāti Tamaoho Trust, Te Akitai Waiohua and Ngāti Maru elders, Blues chief executive Michael Redman and coach Sir John Kirwan, and Auckland Trotting Club president Kerry Hoggard and chief executive Dominique Dowding.

Ms Dowding says the Auckland Trotting Club is excited about the Blues choosing Alexandra Park to be their long-term home.

Alexandra Park and The Blues have agreed to the construction of a world-class stand-alone facility including a high-tech gym near Campbell Crescent and development of a training field in The Park’s inner-track.

The facility will be built by Canam Construction and it is expected to be finished by the end of this year.

For Alexandra Park, the blessing for The Blues’ new base comes at the same time as public interest peaks in apartments now selling for the proposed urban lifestyle village dubbed ‘223 Green Lane West’. Those interested in the desirable mixed-use development are registering at www.apliving.co.nz.

ENDS

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