Whakatāne District Council is taking the next step in its journey to deliver a sport and recreational facility able to meet the needs of the Eastern Bay, through the development of its Long-Term Plan 2027-37.  

At a public briefing on Wednesday the Mayor and Councillors received their first detailed look at options for the Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub (the Hub). They spanned from doing the most critical renewals through to increased indoor sports capacity and versatile community spaces to meet current and projected demand. 

The investment amounts ranged from around $20 million to $59 million; all substantially less than what was discussed during the previous Long-Term Plan’s development. 

A longer-term vision to protect future expansion opportunities was also presented though this is not currently proposed for inclusion in this Long-Term Plan period (10 years). 

No preferred option has been identified, and no decisions have been made. 

Mayor Nándor Tánczos said the work responded directly to the council’s request for a more targeted and affordable way forward. 

“What we’re looking at now is very different from the scale of redevelopment previously considered for the Hub. We’ve gone back, listened carefully to what our communities actually need and worked with what we already have to develop options that are more in keeping with our means.  

“That doesn’t make this a small decision. The last redevelopment was almost half a century ago, so we are talking about a significant long term community investment 

“The Rex Morpeth Hub has served the people of the Eastern Bay for generations. It is now our turn to make those kind of mokopuna decisions for future generations."

The Hub is already one of the district’s most heavily used community facilities, recording more than 5,200 users each week. It brings together the Whakatāne War Memorial Hall, Little Theatre, Aquatic Centre, Rugby Park, sports fields, The Art House and public open spaces. 

General manager community experience Alexandra Pickles said the work was about understanding where investment would make the biggest difference. 

“At the Hub, tamariki try sport, performers take the stage and friends enjoy croquet. Kapa haka connects generations through stories, language and culture. In emergencies, it provides refuge and place to support one another. 

“Because this facility plays such an important role in the life of the district, it's vital we understand what’s needed to keep it fit for the future. Years of under-investment have left parts of the Hub facing a significant renewals backlog, while growing demand is putting pressure on the capacity and flexibility of existing facilities. The work we’ve done gives us a much clearer picture of what we need to invest in, what additional improvements are possible, and the choices available at different levels of investment.” 

The work follows more than two decades of discussion about the future of the precinct. During development of the 2024-34 Long-Term Plan, the council considered a significantly larger redevelopment vision valued at $100 million but asked for further work to identify a more targeted and affordable approach. 

In September 2026, the council approved $14.9 million for major renewals to the Whakatāne War Memorial Hall, addressing the building's condition, safety, accessibility, functionality and seismic resilience. That investment is already committed, with planning for delivery underway. 

The question now is what, if anything, the council should invest beyond those works to improve the wider Hub. 

At the lower end, the $20 million package is focused largely on essential renewals. At the upper end, the $59 million package would also add indoor court capacity, create more flexible spaces to allow for changing needs, and improve connections across the site. 

One of the key considerations is indoor recreation space, with independent analysis identifying an existing shortage of indoor court capacity across the Whakatāne district and demand expected to increase further as the population grows. 

The concepts also explore opportunities to improve parking capacity, accessibility and public spaces, better connect facilities across the Hub and strengthen its role as an emergency welfare centre during civil defence events. 

The full Investment case and concept plan will return to the council in November, when the mayor and councillors will consider which options should progress into the draft 2027-37 Long Term Plan. 

Whakatāne District communities will then have the opportunity to have their say on options in March and April next year before the Council makes any final decisions in June 2027. 

People can follow the project on the Council website or register for updates by emailing [email protected].