New Owen Delany Park facility takes shape – and seeks its ‘First 14’
New changing rooms are being built at Owen Delany Park to better serve the lower sports fields and cater to sizeable growth in women’s sports codes.
Car parking will also be upgraded and events and venues manager Steve Giles says plans are underway to seismically strengthen the existing stadium to ensure a more friendly and safer visitor experience.
“It’s great to be witnessing the next stage of improvement work for Owen Delany Park,” Steve says. “Back in 2024 we were very fortunate to unveil the new stadium lighting, which was stage one of a major master plan of improvement work, and stage two is the community sports hub being built here now. This will provide eight changing rooms and a club room in a really modern facility that will help bring this iconic facility into the 21st Century.”
Matthew Cooper, chief executive of Sport Waikato, said the new facilities were a fantastic addition to a much-loved destination.
“We know it's a really challenging time for councils,” he said, “so I want to acknowledge Taupō District Council for taking a really proactive approach by securing external funding for this project. This investment is much more than about buildings and fields - this is about people. It's about the needs of today's community, and those many generations of not only Taupō locals, but people from outside the region to come and play. Research shows us that in the last 12 months there's been over 600,000 visitor movements to Owen Delany Park, and they're coming from all over New Zealand. That is a huge boost for the local economy. And, of course, we can't forget the man behind this stadium: Owen Delany. I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to know Owen well, and it's so good to see his legacy, what he dreamt of, what he wanted, being carried forward. He'd be looking down here, smiling today.”
Councillor Rachel Cameron, who is part of the project steering group, says the best part is that the project has been made possible with external funding.
“For several years now we have been seeking external funding for our larger projects, and Owen Delany Park is a great example of this. Thanks to Better Off Funding from Central Government, the NZ Lottery Grant Board and the NZ Community Gaming Trust we are building this great community asset with $5.3 million we secured in external funding. Owen Delany Park really is a part of Taupō and has been enjoyed by generations of locals and visitors alike. The next phase of the masterplan is upgrading the park scoreboard, and we’re looking for our ‘First 14’ to be a part of this - not First 11 or First 15 - but First 14 because there are 14 sports codes that use the park – everything from netball to archery and of course cricket and rugby.”
“So we’re inviting sponsors to come forward and contribute to the scoreboard and be a part of continuing the legacy. You’ll get your name up on the board, so if you or your organisation wants to be a part of this fantastic project then get in touch.”
For further information or to become a part of the First 14 contact Bryre Forlong on funding@taupo.govt.nz
