Football World Cup venue Soccer City, Irish national arena Aviva Stadium and the Northland Events Centre – surely such diverse sporting venues would never be mentioned in the same breath?
Well, all three are in line for a major international design award in Barcelona in November, with the ratepayer-funded Northland Events Centre (NEC) taking on some of the giants of international sporting arenas.
As well as Soccer City and Aviva Stadium, NEC is shortlisted with Mexico’s Hoyo 19 Club de Golf Altozano, Spain’s national Sports Centre and Sweden’s The Satellite national sporting arena in the ‘Completed Buildings – Sports’ section of 2010 World Architectural Festival, in Barcelona, Spain, from November 3-5.
NEC was jointly funded by Northland Regional Council ratepayers contributing $13 million through a targeted rate, $3 million from Whangarei District Council and a $2.5 million grant from government. It will host two matches during the Rugby World Cup in 2011.
Regional council chief executive Ken Paterson said it was amazing the centre was up against stadia like Aviva and Soccer City.
“The fact that it’s right up there with the likes of Soccer City really puts Northland on the map,” Mr Paterson said.
“Our intention was to get good value for money for the Northland community, but at the same time provide a world-class facility they could be very proud of. Now people from around the world will be seeing the NEC, that’s big kudos.”
Auckland-based Copeland Associates Architects, which worked with Argon Construction to design the Okara Park facility, entered it in the awards and has been invited to Barcelona where a winner will be announced.
Mr Paterson, who was the project director throughout the construction process, said the NRC is thrilled the hard work of all those involved – architects and construction workers, a large number of Northland sub-contractors and the local authorities – has been recognised.
However, he said the region’s ratepayers can be especially proud of what had been achieved on their behalf. Copeland director Barry Copeland is delighted the centre has been selected and recognised as a world-class building.
“It was a pleasure to work on a facility that has such a strong community aspect to it, particularly when that will continue for many years to come,” he said.
NEC’s official opening is to take place in October.
Provided by Northern Advocate
http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/local/news/stadium-up-with-best-in-world/3918694/
http://www.worldarchitecturefestival.com/shortlist_detail.cfm?projectCategoryId=52&eventYear=2010
http://designdaily.co.nz/blog/2010/08/northland-events-centre-gets-festive-award-nod