A major marine facility planned for east Auckland has received a helpful funding boost.
Once completed, the Highbrook Regional Watersport Centre will provide for storage and training and a clubhouse for rowing, waka-ama, and canoe sports.
It’s now received total funding of $5.3 million. In 2018 the Howick Local Board supported temporary facilities at the location in Highbrook and in 2022 provided a $42,000 grant for water supply.
A formal lease was granted in 2023 to progress the project in Highbrook Drive.
The facility is expected to be completed in 12 months, with further phases planned over five years.
Most recently, the Highbrook Regional Watersport Centre Trust was granted $2.2m in funding from Auckland Council’s Sport and Recreation Facilities Investment Fund for the centre’s clubhouse building stage of the project.
Two other east Auckland projects, the Howick Pakuranga Community Sports Centre and the Lloyd Elsmore Park Hockey Stadium, received funding from the council fund also.
Howick ward councillor Maurice Williamson welcomes the investment.
“Howick is growing rapidly, and it’s crucial our facilities evolve to meet the demands of our community, sports clubs, and increasing users,” he says.
“I’m pleased to see funding secured for Howick Pakuranga Community Sports Centre, Highbrook Regional Watersport Centre, and Lloyd Elsmore Park Hockey Stadium.
“These great facilities will be enhanced with this funding, and will not only benefit Howick, but Auckland as a whole.”
Howick Local Board chairperson Damian Light says he and his colleagues also back the projects and the funding they’ve received.
“The Howick Local Board has been a supporter of these projects for several years through grants, leases, and other support.
“It’s wonderful to see them successfully gaining the financial support they need to deliver for our communities.”
The Times has previously reported on the board voting to grant landowner approval to the trust proposing to build the watersport centre in Highbrook.
Recommendations put to the board were that it grant landowner approval to the trust to construct the facility; a licence to occupy for the tenant-built car park and access ways, boat ramp, hardstands and pontoon areas; and an agreement-to-lease to the trust for five years on specified terms.
The terms include that funding be secured for the facility’s complete development on or before July 1, 2026, and prior to any works commencing.
Construction of the proposed water sports facility will take approximately 12 months to complete, however may be undertaken in stages over a five-year period.
The building will house clubrooms and storage facilities for the trust.
The trust would also sub-lease parts of the building to schools and community organisations to operate rowing and waka ama, and other kindred activities from the site and buildings.
Part of the trust’s purpose is to oversee delivery of programmes that encourage the growth of outrigger canoeing, rowing and other flat-water sports in Auckland.
The facility would be located at Highbrook Esplanade Reserve, which provides access to the Tamaki River.
