Across Eastern Southland the future of hockey is being shaped not just by players on the field - but by those behind the scenes committed to sustaining the turf for future generations.
Planning for a new turf at Gore’s MLT Multisport Complex began the day the refurbished turf was opened in 2010.
Eastern Southland Hockey Committee property representative Vince Aynsley explained that planning ahead is the game plan for preserving hockey across the district.
‘We’ve known since the new turf was laid in 2010 that its life span will only be around 15 years. With projects like this costing close to $500,000 this isn’t something that the club can afford to do on a whim, so a long-term asset management plan is a necessity for hockey’s survival in the area.”
Mr Aynsley said the association has been proactive in analysing its financial situation and determining a proportion of subs to be specifically allocated to turf replacement. This ranges from between $10 and $25 depending on the player’s age.
“This has put the association in a position that it will be able to cover the costs of the turf being replaced without asking families to fundraise. This fee is not only ensuring the sustainability of the association, but also taking the pressure off families to, in addition to subs, fundraise to cover rising asset management costs,”
Community Trust South has long recognised the importance of asset management plans for its funding recipients, having previously held workshops on this topic to educate members of its communities.
Chief Executive Office, Jackie Flutey said asset management was important for local funders and our communities alike.
“As a community funder we want to ensure that projects and initiatives we support are well looked after. Given the constrained funding environment many local funders are operating in asset management is crucial to ensuring assets will be around for our future generations.”
Mrs Flutey said that like Eastern Southland Hockey has done, groups playing today need to be thinking of the groups of tomorrow.
“To pay it forward, groups need to be realistic in thinking about the maintenance, replacement and capital improvements that may need to be carried out over the asset’s lifespan and how these costs could be covered.”
Both Mr Aynsley and Mrs Flutey agree that better asset management is key to enhancing our communities and their quality of life. And as Mr Aynsley says, it’s only fair that he should help provide for the future generations
“I’m still lacing up the shoes to play, so for over 20 years of time playing on the turf, I think it’s not only fair, but also my responsibility to see my grandkids have the same opportunity,”
To encourage awareness on the importance of asset management planning, Community Trust South provides an asset maintenance and management plan template for community groups to use.
This template helps to outline how an asset will be looked after once it is completed, for a 10-year period, and encourages groups to realise the ongoing financial resources needed to maintain or eventually replace an asset.
Access Community Trust South’s asset management template head.
