Modernised Y Stadium officially re-opened

(22 June 2024) The Y Southland’s Stadium is now refurbished, modernised, and ready for community use.

The Y celebrated the re-opening of its Stadium space last night (21 June 2024) with a carnival-themed event.

Over the past six months the space – which encompasses a full basketball/netball court, complete with a brand new, state-of-the-art floor – has been completely transformed and is now a modern, fit for purpose, safe space, ripe with opportunities for the community.

Funding from Community Trust South, ILT Foundation, the NZ Lottery Grants Board and the Murihiku Rūnaka and Rio Tinto/NZAS Community Development Fund enabled the project.

The Y Southland Chief Executive Pete Thompson said the Y was excited to re-open the Y Stadium with the carnival on Friday night – a true community event, for a true community space, attended by hundreds of people.

“We want this space to be for the community – that’s who the redevelopment is for, community organisations or groups, sporting organisations, social groups, or even just groups of friends who want to shoot hoops,” he said.

“It’s a fantastic area, right in the middle of town, and now that it has been modernised it brings a whole new raft of potential opportunities for use.”

Along with the new floor, the upgrade has also included new windows, new fire doors, a complete internal paint job, repairs to the roof and other key pieces of work that have transformed the space. 

The Y Stadium was officially opened in 1959, after many years of fundraising. Then, approximately £12,000 was fundraised and £10,000 was advanced by the Southland Building Society. 

Mr Thompson said the Y was extremely grateful for the latest funding that had made the upgrade possible.

“We are so fortunate to have such amazing local funders who have contributed to this project – their support cannot be underestimated and we genuinely appreciate it.”

Mr Thompson said the Y Stadium upgrade was part of the Y’s wider vision of ultimately upgrading the 77 Tay Street building; a facility the Y has owned for many years.