Motueka’s historic Huia Rugby Club is edging closer to a new chapter, with its long-awaited clubrooms now in the final stages of construction and expected to be completed by the end of the year.
The project has been more than a decade in the making, and Huia Rugby Club vice president Dion Iorns says he still pinches himself every time he visits the site.
“The support we have had to date from everyone who has pitched in has been immense. There aren’t really the right words,” he says.
With the roof and cladding now complete, work is shifting to the internal fit-out and the installation of external services to prepare the building for use.
The build marks an exciting new era for the club, which marked its 125th anniversary earlier this year, cementing it as a pillar of the Motueka community.
“This new facility represents more than a building – it’s a commitment to the next generation. We envision a space where young players take their first steps onto the field, families gather to celebrate milestones, and lifelong friendships are forged,” Dion said as construction began back in January.
Now, he says, the facility is shaping up to be everything the committee imagined, and more.
Dion reckons thanking everyone involved would take up more space than The Guardian has to offer, but says the project would not have been possible without the support of every person who contributed.
“The community has helped us get to this point, and Willie [Snowden] and I are already getting shoulder-tapped by people who need a home, whether that be for a sport, club, or something else completely.”
He says that the vision has always been for the build to serve as a true community facility, and that is exactly what it is shaping up to be.
“It’s really validating of why we are doing it. This is the Huia Rugby Club rolling our sleeves up and completing this project, but we want to make this a community facility as much as we can. We’re hearing all sorts of ways the community can utilise it.”
Dion says, while they are entering the pointy, exciting end of the build, there is still lots to be done.
Anyone wanting to support the project can contact him on 021 527 471 or Willie on 027 210 4864.
He says, the first pint poured will sure be a “tasty” one and looks forward to celebrating with an official opening soon. Keep an eye out for details to come.
