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位于新西兰吉斯本（Gisborne）的著名体育场Rugby Park完成全面升级改造，备受期待的John Heikell Grandstand（约翰·海克尔主看台）于近日正式启用，标志着东海岸塔伊拉菲蒂（Tairāwhiti）地区最具代表性的体育场馆之一重新向公众开放。

新西兰区域发展部副部长Mark Patterson出席启用仪式，并与当地居民共同见证这一重要时刻。

Patterson表示，Rugby Park自1955年启用以来，一直是新西兰历史悠久的省级橄榄球场之一，曾接待过南非跳羚队（Springboks）、英国及爱尔兰雄狮队（British & Irish Lions）等国际知名球队，也见证了Ian Kirkpatrick、Richard “Tiny” White及Bob Scott等新西兰橄榄球传奇球员的精彩表现。

他说：”作为Poverty Bay Rugby Union的主场，我们很高兴看到Rugby Park重新成为高水平橄榄球及其他体育赛事的重要场地，同时也成为社区居民举办大型活动的重要公共空间。”

原看台因地震安全问题关闭

原有主看台于2019年关闭，当时工程评估发现建筑存在严重抗震不足及结构老化问题，不再符合安全使用标准，因此必须停止开放。

经过数年的规划和建设，在中央政府、地方政府及多个合作伙伴共同支持下，整个体育场完成现代化升级。

全新900座有顶看台投入使用

此次升级工程包括：

• 新建拥有900个座位的有顶主看台
• 全新球员更衣及配套设施
• 升级媒体采访设施
• 安装现代化电子记分牌
• 改善球场基础设施及周边环境

政府表示，新设施不仅恢复了这一历史体育地标，也进一步提升塔伊拉菲蒂地区举办大型体育、文化及社区活动的能力，吸引更多游客，为当地经济注入新的活力。

政府投资逾1,100万纽币

本项目获得新西兰政府1,130万纽币专项拨款，同时获得Trust Tairāwhiti及Lottery Grants Board共同资助，总投资约1,250万纽币。

项目建设期间，共带动当地26家企业参与施工，为地区创造就业机会，并促进本地经济发展。

Patterson表示，这项投资不仅改善了社区公共设施，也将成为未来数十年服务当地居民的重要资产。

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来源：新西兰政府（Regional Development）

编辑：新西兰华人每日资讯网

Gisborne’s rugby community celebrated the completion of the John Heikell Grandstand at Rugby Park redevelopment today, marking the return of one of East Coast Tairāwhiti’s most iconic sporting venues and a significant achievement for the region.

Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson joined Gisborne locals today to celebrate the reopening of the revitalised facility.

“Since opening in 1955, Rugby Park is one of New Zealand’s historic provincial rugby grounds. It has hosted legendary touring sides including the Springboks and the British & Irish Lions, and the ground has been graced by rugby icons such as Ian Kirkpatrick, Richard “Tiny” White and Bob Scott.” Mr Patterson says.

“Home of the Poverty Bay Rugby Union, it’s great to see the park restored as a premier facility for rugby and other sporting codes, and a place where locals can come together to celebrate major events.” 

The original grandstand closed in 2019 after assessments found it was no longer safe to use, with significant seismic deficiencies and deteriorating building materials.

“With support from central government and local government partners, Rugby Park has been transformed into a modern, fit-for-purpose facility. 

“The redevelopment includes a new 900-seat covered grandstand, upgraded player and media facilities, a modern scoreboard, and extensive improvements to the park’s grounds and infrastructure,” Mr Patterson says.

“It not only restores a treasured sporting venue but also strengthens the region’s ability to host major cultural and community events, attract visitors, and support local economic activity.”

The project received $11.3 million in grant funding from the government for the rebuild. Co-funding for the project was provided by Trust Tairāwhiti and the Lottery Grants Board. The total project value is $12.5 million. 

“This investment helped support 26 local businesses during construction and kept money in the local economy, while building a facility that will serve Tairāwhiti for generations to come,” Mr Patterson says.