Central Energy Trust Arena improvements

Aerial view of the Arena, with the new overbridge and stockcar pits, and the oval and grandstand in the background.

We're planning to develop a new building at this iconic Palmy venue and invest in new turfs and amenities. The plans are part of the updated Arena Masterplan, adopted by Council in November 2023.

Arena is our 18.5-hectare flexible sports and entertainment hub in the heart of our city centre.

Hosting over 3,000 bookings each year and home to more than 30 sporting codes, Arena attracts more than 450,0000 visitors annually.

Our Arena Masterplan guides future development and investment in this critical community asset. The goal is to continue improving facilities, attract vibrant events, and grow the Arena’s positive impact on our city’s economy. The speedway season alone contributes more than $25 million to the local economy each year. 

What we’ve achieved so far

Between 2018 and 2022, we completed several key improvements:

  • A new artificial turf
  • A welcoming entrance plaza with a pedestrian bridge and digital screens
  • Relocation of speedway pits for improved visibility and usability
  • Upgraded lighting, embankment seating, and amenities
  • Streetscape upgrades along Cuba Street to encourage foot traffic and improve links to the city centre

The speedway pit area is multi-purpose and able to host community activities like Puanga and Salud Festival.

Updated Masterplan and community input

The Arena Masterplan was originally developed in 2014, updated in 2017, and again reviewed in 2023 in partnership with Rangitāne o Manawatū to deliver on our shared goals for community wellbeing.

Feedback was sought from elected members, Council teams, Palmy Venues + Events, Sport Manawatū, CEDA, and Arena user groups through a series of surveys, group interviews and workshops. This input helped shape the updated plan, which identifies potential areas of use and improvement, safety risks, and new development opportunities.

In November 2023, the updated Arena Masterplan was adopted by Council and included in the 2024-2034 Long Term Plan, with $36 million allocated for development.

The Arena Masterplan has a project steering group including representatives from Palmerston North City Council, Rangitāne, Sport Manawatū, Marist Sports Club, and other relevant stakeholders.

Read the updated Masterplan(PDF, 13MB)

Palmerston North City Council is moving ahead with plans to build a new Arena 5. It will be located on the green space at the corner of Cuba and Pascal Streets.

The current Arena 5 is an earthquake-prone building. It must either be strengthened by January 2039 or decommissioned. The new arena will eventually replace the existing Arena 5 spaces, including Bell Hall, Barber Hall, Waldegrave Lounge, and the Gym Club.

The new facility will take pressure off Arenas 3 and 4, which are used heavily by local community sports associations.

map indicates the locations of the current and new Arena 5

The new arena is being designed to be a multi-functional space to support a wide range of activities, including indoor sports, as well as other events.

It will include flexible court space designed to meet growing demand from the community. This need was highlighted in the Arena Masterplan and backed by feedback from local sports codes.

Read more about the Arena Masterplan(PDF, 13MB)

It’s likely the current and new Arena 5 facilities will both operate for a number of years before the current Arena 5 is either upgraded to meet earthquake code or decommissioned.

The Council are currently considering different options for the type of building that will be built.

The project will follow a Design-and-Build model. This means a contractor will be appointed early to both design and construct the arena. This approach saves time and money by cutting out the usual tendering phase between design and construction.

The key milestones are:

  • Early 2026 – Contractor appointed and detailed design phase begins
  • Mid 2026 – Construction begins
  • Mid 2027 – Construction complete. Final handover to follow, with the facility fully operational

We’re working with a user group - made up of sporting and community groups that use the current Arena 5 or are expected to use the new one - to make sure the new facility meets the community’s needs. This group will work with the Project Architect in the first stage of design for this project.

We’ll work to minimise disruption across the precinct during the construction phase. Access to all other arenas and facilities will remain open throughout the project.

We’re looking at how parking and pedestrian access will be supported during and after construction.

We’ll share more updates as the project progresses.

Location

61 Pascal Street, Palmerston North Central 4410  View Map

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