The Central Bay Hockey Charitable Trust was formed in June 2004 by the former working group known as PRO TURF (2001-2004). The groups aim was to establish an “artificial water playing surface with the primary purpose for playing field hockey”.
The facility is known as STADIUM HORIZON and Stage 1 of the project was achieved in April 2005. This year (2008) the downstairs Pavilion with ablutions and café shop has been added to the facility with the possibility of a second floor being done at a later date. Costs for the facility stand at $1.3 million dollars for which the Trust and Central Bay Hockey Association members are very grateful.
Funding sources include coming from:
Currently while ownership of the facility belongs to the Trust, the land is leased from the Whakatane District Council and leased to the Central Bay of Plenty Hockey Association (CBOPHA) who are responsible for its regular maintenance and care. CBOPHA also ‘manage’ the local hockey draw for league teams and practises. The facility while primarily for the Hockey Community, can be utilized by other sporting codes such as touch rugby, marching, kiwi sports etc.
In the future it is envisioned that ‘Stadium Horizon’ will be able to offer its facility to International hockey teams and host regional and national tournaments. Our local talented players are in many representative sides and this facility has enabled them to train locally, save money and be great ambassadors for our local district.