Pelorus Trust

Pelorus Trust Sportshouse

Cube4 Unveilled

Pelorus Trust recently commissioned the Hutt Sculpture Trust to produce a major piece of public artwork for the precint surrounding the Pelorus Trust Sportshouse. The artwork Cube4, by Waiheke Island sculptor Aiko Groot, is a dynamic, interactive sculpture which can be changed by turning handles on each side. The sculpture, which thematically reflects the Sport and Rec area where it resides, will hopefully be inspirational to tenants and visitors to the Sportshouse.

Pelorus Trust Sportshouse Opens

The Pelorus Trust Sportshouse was formally opened at a ceremony at the striking new facility at Hutt Park on Friday 27 June at 6pm .

“The Sportshouse is a purpose-built sports administration and training facility which will house national, regional and local sports organisations”, commented Pelorus Trustee and Sportshouse Project Manager Mike Gilbert. “We are delighted with the result. The Sportshouse will provide ongoing benefits for its tenants and the wider sporting community. Whilst Pelorus has provided funding for the building we are indebted to the Hutt City Council for providing the setting for the Sportshouse. This is a fantastic example of how Council and a community funder can work in partnership”.

The land was provided for the project by Hutt City Council and Mayor David Ogden commented that “the HCC were happy to get behind the Sportshouse concept as the benefits for the city are immense. What Pelorus proposed fitted perfectly with our vision for the redevelopment of the southern end of Hutt Park . We have an opportunity now to build on this development and create an attractive sports precinct that will bring not only social and recreational benefits but economic gains as well.”

Sportshouse Facts

The Sportshouse is a 1440 sq m facility which will house up to 100 sports administrators, training and development officers, and support staff. Tenants pay only a cost-recovery rental which provides substantial operational savings to each sport. The open plan nature of the complex is conducive to sharing ideas, resources and reducing costs.

Founding tenants of the building are:

Leisure Active, Hutt City Council
BikeNZ
Swimming NZ
Swimming Wellington
Softball NZ
GymSports NZ
Wellington Rugby League
Handball NZ
Bowls Wellington
Touch NZ
Sport Wellington Region

The striking building was designed by Nigel Dong from local architecture firm Designgroup Stapleton Architecture Ltd, and constructed by L T McGuinness Ltd.

Gaming Funding

“This is a major initiative for the Pelorus Trust, a community funder that derives it income from the operation of gaming machines in hotels throughout the country,” says Trust Manager, Alister Skene. “We believe this is a first for the charitable gaming sector which has traditionally been a passive recipient of applications for community funding”.

“In this instance we have responded to a funding need which was identified by the likes of Sport Wellington Region and other sports organisations who were housed in inadequate accommodation. Our solution was to first promote the idea of the Sportshouse, and then bring it to fruition by providing a total design, project management, funding and ownership package. We have put a considerable amount of resources into this project over the last four years. However, by being “hands-on”, we can ensure it will benefit the sporting and wider community in perpetuity.”


Opening of Sportshouse L-R Alister Skene (Trust Manager), Andy Leslie (Trustee), Bryan Yeoman (Trustee), David Ogden ( Mayor Hutt City ), Ian Klinac (Trustee) and Mike Gilbert (Trustee).	Unveiling of plaque by Philip Rush (Long-distance swimming champion) and Sarah Walker (BMX World No. 1).