New hockey turf to be lifted

Westport’s new artificial hockey turf is to be lifted.
Buller Mayor Pat McManus said the turf, alongside the Solid Energy Centre, had never been satisfactory and previous attempts to establish what has gone wrong, and who was responsible, had been inconclusive.
“Hockey in the Buller district is totally dependent on this turf and the present situation is not acceptable. That is why the council has authorised pulling the turf up in order that the whole base can be examined and surveyed.”
Mr McManus agreed it was a drastic step.
“The process of lifting the cover effectively destroys it and it cannot be re-used, but this is the only way to establish culpability. The council expects this move to provide firm evidence that the council can then use to negotiate a remedy. If all goes well, we will reach an agreement with the affected parties that will see a new fit-for-purpose surface in place by April,” he said.
“If a satisfactory agreement cannot be negotiated, then we will take legal action to ensure that ratepayers get what they originally paid for.”
The Buller District Council is working closely with Buller hockey administrators, who recognise the need to take strong actions to achieve a permanent solution for Buller hockey.