Bruce Pulman Park
The Bruce Pulman Park is a totally new concept in New Zealand sports, recreational and leisure amenities. It is geared towards community excellence at all levels. Already we are having international recognition for our world class sports grounds and indoor facilities in 130 acres of spacious park surroundings.
In the late 1980’s the Papakura District Council originally purchased the Park land. In a unique structure the Trust has leased the park from the Council to provide the improvements and amenities. The Trust’s philosophy being that everyone in the community irrespective of age, gender, physical ability or nationality can use the facilities and services provided, for recreation, leisure or sporting pursuits.
The Trust will continue to build the best facilities that we can whether they be buildings such as the Netball Centre, Gymsport and Recreation Centre, Team Sports Facility, sporting grounds such as the Cricket Ovals or walkways through a scented garden for the blind. The Park will also always be maintained to a high standard and utilised fully. The Trust is looking forward to the future of our community and the Park is an investment for future generations of the Papakura and Counties Manukau region.
The Trust is very conscious of the economic demographics of people who live in this region and the “Bruce Pulman Park Trust” has been set up specifically to maintain and manage the park on a self funding basis. The Park will also operate as a Resource Centre for the many “minor activities and sports” throughout the region who may have fields or playing areas but no clubrooms, computers or administration back up to effectively organise and run their particular activities or train their volunteers.
Present facilities include
Team Sport Complex
The Team Sport Complex is the newest building on Bruce Pulman Park and is a specially designed and purpose built venue catering for team sport requirements. Eight changing rooms with separate match officials and first aid facilities provide excellent pre match and post match wellbeing. Features include gas heated showers which provide instant hot water when players enter the showers. Hospitality features include a caterer’s kitchen, two lounges and bar. These features make the venue an ideal facility for corporate and community events and is available for hire.
Eight sand based rugby fields provide the action and enable training in all weathers. Lighting and public address system provides additional features to an already great venue. Irrigation and a special drainage system ensure the grounds are of excellent standard during all seasons. Equipment garage and public toilets complete the facility. To ensure the maximum use of the facility and the philosophy of the Park Trust the complex is available for hire for sporting, recreational, corporate or community events.
The Team Sports Complex at Bruce Pulman Park is the home of Ardmore Marist Rugby and Sports Club Inc. www.ardmoremarist.co.nz, Ardmore Marist, Papakura Junior and Advance Personnel Touch Modules and the Counties Manukau Steelers www.steelers.co.nz
Sports Fields
Eight international standard rugby fields have been constructed to provide ideal playing surfaces in all weathers and seasons. All are fully drained with irrigation, sand cover with couch grass base stablising the sand. The main field is under sown with rye grass.
The grounds feature a unique environmental friendly gravity drainage system which drains into an adjacent stormwater retention pond. This water is reticulated and used for irrigation. The irrigation and drainage systems ensure the grounds are of excellent standard during all seasons.
Full field markings are provided.
Cricket Ovals
- Main Oval
This oval has been built to international design and specification. The raised external area of the oval will seat up to 15,000 people and provide elevated viewing and hospitality facilties. The Park lends itself to tournament type events and the oval can also be utilised for shows, concerts and exhibitions.
- Outer Oval
The outer oval is complemented by an artificial all weather wicket. The park also has three additional artificial surfaces. The ovals are home to Counties Manukau Cricket - www.cmcricket.co.nz
Gymsport and Recreation Centre
The Bruce Pulman Park Gymsport & Recreation Centre is a world class standard purpose built gymnastics and trampoline facility. The Gymsport & Recreation Centre is used for many national and international events and home to National, Olympic and World Class athletes and coaches. It also provides facilities for the Counties Manukau Gymnastics Club. Gymnastic programmes include: pre-school gymnastics, beginner and competitive gymnastics, trampoline, rhythmic gymnastics and sports aerobics, school curriculum programmes, team building, school holiday and high performance programmes. The Gymsport & Recreation Centre is a licensed High Performance Centre for Women's Artistic Gymnastics. www.gymsport.co.nz
School Sports Academy
The Bruce Pulman Park School Sports Academy [BPPTSSA] program aims to develop the knowledge and understanding of potential elite athletes, interested in pursuing a career in their sport at both a domestic and international level.
All students will develop foundation knowledge in sport science, and will acquire the ability to operate at an advanced level in training and competition.
The central purpose of the Academy program is to provide a fully structured approach to the nurturing and growth of young athletes.
It is the Trust’s belief that programs of quality ensure all participants are given adequate time and every opportunity to improve their sports performance through knowledge, understanding and self-awareness.
Additional Community Facilities provided by the Trust
"Off Broadway" theatre of the Papakura Theatre Company
While Bruce Pulman Park is focused on Sport, Recreation and Leisure activities, arts and culture is included in the holistic well being of the community approach that the Bruce Pulman Park Trust aspires to. As part of the arts and culture component the Trust are owners of the “Off Broadway” theatre which is home to the Papakura Theatre Company. This support enables the theatre company to operate without the ongoing challenges associated with the management of the building.
