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MOU important step towards new Indoor Stadium

Council has joined with the Matamata Indoor Sports and Recreation Hub Charitable Trust (Trust) and the Matamata College Board of Trustees (College) in signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to continue working towards a community indoor sports stadium located at the College.

In 2018, Council pledged $2 million towards the community-led indoor stadium project and, four years on, signing the MoU was a natural next step. According to Council’s chief executive Don McLeod, the project had reached a point where the involvement of the key players needed to be formalised so the next steps could be taken. “This project has the potential to provide a larger sport and recreation facility that will complement Headon Stadium, as well as the current indoor facilities at the College. The recent upgrade to Headon was carried out with this project in mind because as the town and district continue to grow it’s important there are a range of places and opportunities for people to be active. All going well, Matamata will have two indoor spaces that cater for different community needs.”

Trust chair Frank Healey is pleased the community project now has an agreement in place. "Signing the MOU with Council and the College is more positive news for our stadium project. Clear milestones are set out and, as completed, will continue to allow us to move forward. The Trust appreciates the continuing support and positive feedback it’s receiving from the Matamata community."

Working closely with the project manager is the Steering Group which is made up of representatives from Council, the Trust, College, Ministry of Education and Sport Waikato.

The preferred location for the proposed indoor stadium is at the Matamata College grounds, Matamata College Chairman Craig Alexander believes “this is a fantastic opportunity for both the school and the community to have an outstanding facility for all in the district.”

Sport Waikato knows first hand the benefits of the school-community partnerships. “Schools form a significant part of the region’s play, recreation and sporting infrastructure network. School community partnerships enable facilities to be constructed with a wider range of spaces for the benefit of not only the school but also the wider community - allowing for a greater range of activities that meet the needs and abilities of all age groups,” says Matthew Cooper, Sport Waikato chief executive.