The partnership gives the University naming rights to the six-court indoor sport facility at Mercury Baypark Arena and the new indoor sport and recreation centre on Cameron Road.
Bay Venues Chief Executive Chad Hooker and University of Waikato Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Alister Jones.
The University of Waikato has partnered with Bay Venues to help drive activation and growth across Tauranga’s sports and fitness venues, including the city’s newest indoor sport and recreation centre at Cameron Road.
The partnership gives the University naming rights to the six-court indoor sport facility at Mercury Baypark Arena, as well as the new indoor sport and recreation centre being built on the old Warehouse site at Cameron Road. It will see the University connect with programmes delivered in the venues and give students access to the facilities, enhancing the community experience and engaging Tauranga’s student population.
“As our population grows, community connection has never been more important and our sports and fitness facilities play an important role in that,” Bay Venues Chief Executive Chad Hooker said.
“We are so excited to work alongside the University of Waikato over the coming years and have its support as Tauranga continues to develop. As partners, we share many of the same values and are both committed to this city.”
University of Waikato Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Alister Jones said the strategic partnership is part of the University’s long-term commitment to the Bay of Plenty region and its focus on enhancing student experiences through recreation and events.
“We have been part of the Tauranga community for the past 30 years and are committed to being here for the next 100. Our ongoing presence in this city supports our vision to positively contribute to growth and prosperity in the region and partnering with great community facilities is just one of the ways we are doing this,” Professor Jones said.
“I’m excited at the possibilities this new partnership offers and look forward to our students being able to enjoy the access to sports facilities and get involved in new campus events delivered alongside the Bay Venues team.”
Bay Venues manages these sports and fitness facilities on behalf of Tauranga City Council and the venues hosted more than 800,000 visits last financial year (to 30 June 2024).
The Cameron Road venue will be the first new indoor community sport facility in Tauranga since the opening of Mercury Baypark Arena over a decade ago. It will be the central city’s new home of indoor community sports, also hosting recreational activities and social sports leagues. University of Waikato students will be able to access the facility for sports, recreation and learning as part of the new partnership agreement.
About the new Cameron Road facility
The former site of The Warehouse, on the corner of Cameron Rd and 10th Avenue, was purchased by Tauranga City Council at the end of 2023 and is being converted into an indoor sport and recreation centre.
It will be home to a variety of community sports, including volleyball, badminton, basketball, pickleball, table tennis, sports for disabled people, netball, and more.
There is enough space in the facility for four basketball-size courts, or three netball-size courts, or 13 badminton and pickleball-size courts, or six volleyball-size courts.
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