Taranaki Community Stadium Trust Celebrates 40 Years of Impact

The Taranaki Community Stadium Trust is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its 40th anniversary. Established to raise funds and find a suitable location for an all-weather athletic track, the trust has made substantial contributions to sports in the region since its inception.

Norman Read, an Olympic champion who won gold in the 50km walk at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, initially envisioned the track. Though Read passed away in 1994, his dream materialized years later when the stadium complex was built at Jubilee Park in Inglewood, an area known for its athletic history.

After 15 years of planning and fundraising, the trust successfully installed a 400m Mondo track, the first of its kind in New Zealand, which is comparable to those used in Olympic events. The TET Stadium and Events Centre now serves as a multi-purpose venue, hosting local clubs including the Inglewood Rugby Club and the Egmont, Inglewood, and Taranaki Athletics clubs.

The stadium has played host to significant events, including the North Island Colgate Games and the FIFA U20 Football World Cup, showcasing its versatility and importance to the community. Trust chairman Lyall Bunn emphasized the facility’s value, stating, “You can go to a lot of places in New Zealand and not find a facility like this. Mondo is the Rolls Royce of running tracks.”

Celebratory Events and Future Plans

To celebrate its 40th anniversary, the trust will host a special event on October 26, 2023, featuring guest speaker and champion sprinter Zoe Hobbs. Hobbs, who began her career racing on the Mondo track, is now recognized as New Zealand’s fastest women’s 100m sprinter of all time.

Looking ahead, the stadium will also host the Royal New Zealand Pipe Band Championships in March 2026, with potential participation from up to 5,000 competitors. Hayley Duggan, the stadium’s executive manager, noted that the anniversary celebration will offer an opportunity for former trustees to reconnect with the community and reflect on the trust’s achievements.

In preparation for the event, Duggan has created a series of short videos documenting the history of the track, featuring anecdotes from those involved in its creation. These videos are available on YouTube for public viewing.

Funding from the Toi Foundation has supported the anniversary event, while the Taranaki Electricity Trust has been a significant contributor over the years. The trust continues to focus on future-proofing the stadium, currently seeking financial support to build additional changing rooms at the back of the track, which is surrounded by six playing fields. Presently, there is only one toilet available for the numerous sports teams and tournaments that utilize the grounds.

Tickets for the October 26 event are available through the TET Stadium and Events Centre’s website, Facebook page, or at trybooking.com, providing an opportunity for community members to join in this momentous celebration.